TVSquad

One of the most integral and interesting characters on Friday Night Lights may be out of the lineup for much of the rest of the season. And he may not be back for next season, either. Taylor Kitsch could be out of Friday Night Lights after the next few episodes. Michael Ausiello is reporting that executive producer Jason Katims confirmed that Taylor's conflicting schedule with a big screen project has mucked up the works.

Taylor's playing the title character in John Carter of Mars, a big screen adaptation of the famous Edgar Rice Burroughs' books, which isn't slated to be released until 2012, but will require extensive filming. It doesn't look like he'll be able to fit more of Friday Night Lights into the mix. And a lot of the predicament could be on the Disney side; will they free up his shooting schedule for John Carter to let him play Tim Riggins.

Friday Night Lights really could use Kitsch for the rest of season four and next year in season five. The character has been a touchstone for the entire series, like the Matt Saracen character. He's one of Eric's players that we've watched progress from Panther student and football player to young man with a questionable future. College didn't work out and currently, Riggins is unofficially helping out his old ball coach at East Dillon.

Riggins is also still getting over Lila and resisting the temptation of Becky, a girl too young for his randy ways. And, as I wrote in my review last week, Riggins has matured into a really fascinating role. He's complicated and he's got a good heart, but he also has that wild streak.

Sure, FNL could write him out. That would be easy enough to do considering his untethered lifestyle, but he would be missed. Especially by FNL fans.