American Idol Shake-Up: Randy Jackson May Return, Mentor Jimmy Iovine to Exit

Jackson announced his exit from the series back in May, but he may find a new role for himself on the show's 13th season

American Idol is looking to return to the dog house in season 13.

Following news that Jennifer Lopez will be heading back to the judges' table on American Idol, her former fellow judge Randy Jackson is in talks to return for the Fox reality hit's upcoming 13th season, a source confirms to E! News.

But there's a twist!

Jackson, who announced his departure from the show back in May, may not be sitting at the judges' table alongside Lopez and returning judge Keith Urban; he would be replacing Jimmy Iovine as the contestants' mentor.

As first reported by Deadline, Iovine, our source confirms, is set to exit the series after three seasons. The music producer joined the show in 2010 after Simon Cowell's exit, and his record label, Interscope Geffen A&M, handled the albums of American Idol's finalists.

Our Idol source says producers are currently eyeing Jackson, who had been with the series since its debut in 2002, for the vacated mentor position.

E! News exclusively reported Jackson's decision to leave American Idol as a judge after 12 seasons. "I am very proud of how we forever changed television and the music industry," he said. "It's been a life-changing opportunity." 

Fox had no comment on Jackson's potential return.

Although the network has yet to officially announce Lopez's return, her boyfriend, Casper Smart, exclusively revealed to E! News that the superstar would be sitting at the judges' table when the show goes back on the air in January.

So far, Fox has only confirmed Urban's return for the new season, with network president Kevin Reilly making the official announcement earlier this month at the summer TCA Press Tour. "Keith did a great job last year, the fans really liked him," Reilly said of the decision to bring the country superstar back for season 13.

Producers were reportedly pursuing will.i.am for the judges' table, but sources told E! News that the Black Eyed Peas frontman turned down the gig. Idol is now purportedly showing interest in Dr. Luke, a singer-songwriter who has produced hits for Kelly Clarkson and Katy Perry.