Empire is Back for a 6th Season BUT Without Jussie Smollett

Good news for "Empire" fans ... the show is coming back for Season 6. BUT Jussie Smollett is NOT.....(MAYBE!)

Fox just issued the following statement ... "By mutual agreement, the studio has negotiated an extension to Jussie Smollett's option for season 6, but at this time there are no plans for the character of Jamal to return to 'Empire.'" 

Yep ... sounds weird, that Fox wants to keep Jussie hanging just in case, but that's the deal. It could be ... Fox is hedging its bets, to see what happens in the civil case in which the City of Chicago is suing the actor for the costs of the investigation.  The upshot of that case -- Jussie will be tried for allegedly faking the "attack."  Perhaps if he wins, Fox will reconsider.