Although fans have long anticipated the arrival of "Sword Art Online" season 3, they may need to extend their patience a little longer as it is said that the next season of the said anime series is not slated to arrive anytime soon.

It has been learned that there is a possibility for the upcoming season 3 of "Sword Art Online" to take a backseat and may see its release in 2018 as, reportedly, a live-action series version of the series is in the pipeline.

According to reports, Skydance Media has acquired the television rights to "Sword Art Online," and it is planning to produce a live-action version of the well-loved anime and will have a pilot script to be penned by "Terminator Genisys" writer Laeta Kalogridis.

"I am excited and moved that 'Sword Art Online' will be adapted into a live action series by the highly respected Skydance Media. I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation and gratitude to everyone involved in this project, and to the fans all over the world who have so generously and enthusiastically supported SAO," said "Sword Art Online author Reki Kawahara in an interview.

With "Sword Art Online" getting a live-action treatment, fans of the anime version of the story are now left wondering as to what may happen. Reportedly, fans are wondering whether the live-action series will affect the release date of the anime series' season 3, and if the live-action series will start the story from its very beginning.

At this point in time, though, no solid piece of information can provide conclusive answers to the concerns of the fans.

While it's true that the release of "Sword Art Online" season 3 is still uncertain at this point in time, avid fans of the story can also relish the fact that, apart from a live-action series, they will also be treated to a "Sword Art Online" virtual reality (VR) experience via Skydance Interactive.

More information about "Sword Art Online" live-action series and the season 3 of the anime is expected to be released in the coming days.