Days of Our Lives may see a brand new version of Stefano DiMera (Joseph Mascolo). Not sure if this would be what I’m trying to think of the count. Is this going to be Stefano version 3.0 or 4.0? But since Joseph Mascolo is gone, that means it is going to be a new Stefano no matter what if they bring the character back.

My wheels have been turning with all this recent talk about the queen of the night dreams that are plaguing Marin (AnnaLynne McCord). And we’re going to talk about The Phoenix rising again and who it may be.

Speculations on the Return of Stefano DiMera in Days of Our Lives

So, I really don’t think the writers or showrunners would ever do a true recast to replace the late Joseph Mascolo in the role of Stefano. So, not a full recast as a permanent character. However, if you remember several years ago, they gave us Stefano as a new version of the Phoenix. If you recall, they implanted Steve Johnson (Stephen Nichols) with a microchip. It contained Stefano’s essence and personality. He even got a fancy new robotic eye that was spying on stuff. He got to ditch the patch for a while. I’m sure Stephen Nichols appreciated not having to film with that on his face while the Stefano plot lasted.

So, right now, we’ve got Marin’s disturbing dreams. That’s one red flag that a new Stefano could be coming. Another red flag is the Arabian Knights book that’s lying around, which was used in mind control by Stefano before. Plus, in some upcoming scenes with EJ DiMera (Dan Feuerriegel) and with Susan Banks (Stacy Haiduk), there’s a whole lot of focus on Stefano’s portrait at the mansion.

Plot Developments Hinting at Stefano’s Possible Resurrection

So, spoilers for this week also have Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering) telling Cat Greene (AnnaLynne McCord) there’s a reason Stefano was called the Phoenix. And Rafe unpacks some things like the fact that Stefano died years ago and then was thought to not be dead.

Then that inspired Dr. Wilhelm Rolf (Richard Wharton), the mad scientist, to try and reboot his beloved boss, Stefano, using his innovative but dodgy medical expertise. Dr. Rolf actually succeeded for a moment in time when he used Steve Johnson as a guinea pig to be the new Stefano. But when Steve’s microchip was destroyed, it also took Stefano’s personality out of him and he was back to being Patch (Stephen Nichols).

However, I think it’s safe to say Dr. Rolf has probably been busy working on a new and improved way to bring Stefano back to life in one form or another. If you remember, gosh, it was a few years ago, Rolf tried to put a Stefano clone embryo into Kayla Brady’s (Mary Beth Evans) womb for her to carry as a surrogate, which was craziness.

Introducing New Characters and Family Ties in the Stefano Saga

And recently, we’ve had lots of mentions of Stefano’s son, Stefan DiMera (Brandon Barash), of course, the sole surviving twin fathered by Stefano with Vivian Alamain (Louise Sorel) as the mom. Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) thought her ex-husband Stefan skipped town and divorced her and is off living his best life in Alamainia. But Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien) said she never saw Stefan at all during her stay with the von Leuschner family. Who also live in Alamainia with Vivian Alamain’s family. Lots of scheming rotten people there.

And Tony DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) insists that Stefan sent a get-well card to EJ after his shooting. But first of all, that was months ago. And second of all, that could have come from literally anybody who just signed the name. No one has heard from Stefan DiMera since Vivian’s henchman, Ivonne, stuffed Stefan into the trunk of a car and drove him away. The assumption was Vivian spirited her son off to Alamainia. But maybe Stefan is in a secret lab somewhere being turned into his father.

Potential Candidates for the New Stefano: Stefan, Dimitri, or Tony?

But Stefan isn’t the only option as a possible new Stefano. Because don’t forget, Gwen’s missing husband, Dimitri von Leuschner DiMera (Peter Porte), is Stefano’s grandson. And we know Gwen couldn’t care less where her two-timing husband Dimitri went after he was released from jail.

But Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk) thought it was strange that Dimitri didn’t pop up, at least long enough to divorce Gwen. And Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) mentioned he thought Dimitri had moved to New York. After falling for some jailhouse hottie he met behind bars. But again, no one’s heard from Gwen’s husband, least of all her.

So, Dimitri could be plotting with his mom, Megan Hathaway (Miranda Wilson), to restore The Phoenix. Or maybe she decided to not ask permission and just snatch Dimitri once he was paroled and she decided to make him into the new Stefano.

The problem with Dimitri being the new version of Stefano is The Phoenix was always obsessed with Marin, wanted her as his queen of the night back in the day and now that plot is rekindling. Yet we know Dimitri is only into dudes. So not quite a fit and we don’t know if the actor is willing to come back. I did like him. He was hot. We’ll see.

Then there are some Days of Our Lives fans who strongly believe that Tony isn’t really Tony and he is instead the very wicked Andre DiMera (Thaao Penghlis). And they think that a switch happened now and it has happened in the past to be fair. And yeah, we know Abigail Deveraux (AnnaLynne McCord) killed Andre. But death is not an obstacle on Days of Our Lives. Never has been, probably never will be.

Fan Theories and Rumors About Tony, Andre, and the Phoenix Legacy

So, another big red flag, is that Tony never wanted to run their dirty family business. But now all of a sudden, he wants to reclaim Stefano’s legacy corporation from Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier) and Xander Cook (Paul Telfer) with Gabi’s help. And even wilder, Tony wants Gabi in charge.

So, even if that really is Andre, somehow he could still be revived and reinvented as Stefano 3.0 or the next Phoenix. It would be a weird age gap thing if it was say Stefan or Dimitri because they’d be out trying to seduce beautiful Marin.

But if it was Andre or Tony that was the new Stefano seducing the beautiful Marin. That would be a less weird age gap. Finally, the Days of Our Lives rumor mill suggests that Kristen’s brother Peter Blake (Jason Brooks) is back in Salem sometime this fall. We haven’t seen Kristen’s sibling in Salem since early 1998. Peter disappeared after being released from Statesville prison.

Kind of like Dimitri did when he was released from prison. But every so often when the DiMera board needs his shareholder vote, Peter phones in to voice his opinion. But he doesn’t show up. So, you know, could he be returning to Salem as Stefano? Maybe.

Days of Our Lives: Peter Blake Returns?

We know Peter wanted to turn a new leaf over back in the 90s. But he could have changed his mind since then. And since his mom Rachel Blake (Roslyn Gentle) has been back on the scene recently. You know, that could have been a sign that Peter’s coming back for one reason or another. I don’t think Rachel Blake would be very happy if Peter had somehow been made over into Stefano. Since she was not a fan of the Phoenix for very obvious reasons.

Upcoming Storylines and Speculations on Stefano’s Role in EJ’s Shooting

So, if Stefano’s back, if The Phoenix has risen from the ashes, as many signs point to. I also wonder if he had a role in EJ’s shooting. For instance, new Stefano might be disappointed that EJ’s not out burning down the world and has mostly. But not entirely, gone sort of legit. So, we’ll find out more soon.