I believe he mentioned in an interview a long time ago that he was looking forward to leaving California soon and that he was perhaps going to switch professions, so this doesn't surprise me at all. He's cute and a talented actor, but by no means is he irreplaceable. I hope he didn't expect them to pull the money truck up to his dressing room door and unload it for him........THOSE DAYS ARE OVER!!!!!!!!!

Whoa, that sucks. James is very talented and the show's leading man. That's quite a loss.

Wow, this is bad.

This is very unfortunate news. Were he not following All My Children online, Cameron Mathison would be a great recast.

Oh my. This is terrible news. He really is the star of DAYS. He is irreplaceable. I really hope this changes before the time comes for him to actually leaves. Not good. He probably has the biggest following out there as far as DAYS stars go. Yikes.

Everything was going so well. The sky is falling. Poor timing on this announcement. They're gonna have to recast, EJ is basically the center of DAYS. He was so good on today's episode announcing his bid to become mayor. I'm in shock right now.

Cameron Mathison as EJ DiMera??? is that a joke? If so, a very good one.

SOD has updated the article to include this: As this item went online, Digest got word that talks resumed to keep Scott on the show. Stay tuned.

This is surprising after today's episode and EJ announcing he's running for mayor. New viewer and know he's a lead on the show but with such rich crop of leading male soap actors available the role could be recast. Someone else that could play the part is Mark C. Collier, he would be a smoldering EJ and he can play the hell out of a leading man.

I'm really burned out on the EJ character so I'm glad to hear this. Looks like this was his choice so I wish him all the best.

I am very shocked and hope that he stays. Chances are high, I won't ever see him on my screen again when he changes profession. And that's a shame because he is doing such an amazing job as EJ Dimera. EJ (James Scott) for mayor.

Whoa, bonobochick - you basically saved me from having a meltdown. DAYS has been absolutely PERFECT since the reboot kicked in and I don't want anything to take the winds out of its sails. Basically aside from Deidre, Drake, and Matt Ashford being fired this is the next worst thing that could possibly happen. Here's an idea...fire Josh Taylor and Shawn Christian and use their money to pay James Scott. The Jack/Jennifer/Dan triangle has to be wrapping up in the episodes they are filming. I actually don't mind Daniel, but I doubt Shawn Christian is cheap.

DAYS has to be stretching their budget big time and I appreciate that. No one is bigger than the show, but if anyone is close its probably Deidre and James Scott. Alison Sweeney probably is too, but I can't really stand her.

Please,Days keep James Scott on,give him what he wants,his fans love him,and the show would't be the same without him.

Oh crap! Four days into new days? WTH What the hell does he want? Sweeney's directing shows, let him direct. LOL! Just when Days has new writers and some hope. Since talks are on going we'll see, but EJ would need to be recast if he decides to leave.

Stephano needs a heir, and I'm worried about Ari Zucker's status since it looks like she will be going back in EJ's orbit.

EJ is the male face of Days (and one of the only good actors on the show). Days would suck with A.) no sexy guys and B.) no nefarious villain. Stefano is more of a cartoon these days.

I hope they work things out!!! I love James, alot, alot, alot. He is VERY talented and really got to shine on DOOL in this role. Whether you love him or loathe him (me: ), he gets buzz. Not to mention, they could have great story for him in this running for mayor bit. But dammit if I dont get my EJami... lordy, all my bitching these years will be in vain...

im in the minority and glad he is leaving.. i thought his SORASing was one of the worst in daytime..though he is a good actor, i saw no interest in thr EJ character.

I like James Scott a lot but no one is bigger than the show and I hope he's not holding out for more cash because Daytime doesn't have money anymore. I am sure they payed quite a bit for some of these recent returns also.

Maybe its time for him to spread his wings. Honestly he's got a lot of charisma and could probably easily land a primetime gig.

Damn! I didn't like EJ for the longest time, but James Scott really won me over in the past couple of years. How can anybody not look at that man and just melt from all the heat he radiates? Many are the times that I've cursed Stefano for not installing a pool at that mansion so I can see EJ in full speedo glory. (Yes, I went there.)

If they recast, it had better be someone of equal sexiness and talent. I haven't got a clue as to who could pull that off.

BTW, I have never seen a photo that does James Scott justice.

Basically everything ghdoolfan just said lol Fire Josh and Shawn and keep JS!

I like James Scott and all, but I just don't see why y'all think he is the leading man on Days... he's not. I mean, yes, he's important, but there are plenty of other stories and families that could be written about than EJ's twisted self.

Just when EJ can't get any crueler or evil, they always pull him back. James has convincingly played out every emotion they have thrown him. I am not a fan of making the leading man a villain but I certainly love the things that James does in this role. He was heart renderingly good the other day when he saw his children. He has a way of making his face go red when he gets emotional and his eyes go blooshot. Very few actors anywhere goes to the trouble of actually acting their scenes out. They usually skirt by with the least amount of effort. Some even boast they can do 20 scenes in their sleep. Well not this one. He is awake and alive in his scenes. I loved the other day when he and Stephano were playing chess and he grabs Stephano's hand and holds it tenderly. The words and intent of his words were anything but tender. He is worth the money. Pay him.

OMG--Days and NBC must do whatever they can to keep him. He is the best actor at Days, an incredible actor all together and so drop dead handsome and sexy. I have never seen anyone like him on the soaps and I have watched all of them at one time or another and Days, my favorite, since 1981. His acting range is incredible--from evil to sensitive to hurt to powerful to sexy--loved that tango last week with Ari Zucker. He has a way at looking at other characters with such intensity. In fact, he would have made a great Edward in the twilight movies. I like Robert Pattinson, but when I read the books before the movies came out, all I could envision was James Scott as Edward. I hope they give him whatever he wants--he is so worth it and more

Lostfan I agree that James would be a movie star if he did movies. I think though he would make a great psycho. I see him as a charming serial killer!

Say what you want about the EJ character but you cant denied he has a strong following and that James Scott is one hell of an actor. Hopefully they reach a agreement because i personally love EJ, although the previous writers wrote him so terribly lately.

Say what you want about the EJ character but you cant denied he has a strong following and that James Scott is one hell of an actor. Hopefully they reach a agreement because i personally love EJ, although the previous writers wrote him so terribly lately.

I agree, when I first saw him on AMC, I knew he had the totally package looks and talent, when I first saw him on Days, he got even sexier and better.

I also agree, say what you want about EJ, but James is one hell of an actor. He could do movies if he wants or whatever other profession he wants to pursue he'll be great at that too.

Even still I hope he and NBC can work something out.

someone please let Melody know this over at YR when she does her yearly exit to get more money lol

I know I've read interviews where Scott has openly stated that he does not intend to spend his life on this soap opera, so perhaps he is on his way out, but he is one of the reasons I do tune in. He's a great actor, fantastically good looking, and I still always held out hope the writers would legitimately give Sami and EJ a chance as a couple. Here's hoping Sony executives or Days can offer him something reasonable so he's willing to stay on with the show a little while longer.

Whoever said James Scott isn't the leading man obvious doesn't watch the show. He's THE LEADING MAN! There's no disputing that. He's always in the 1A storyline. Bo and Hope are getting pushed to the front by the new writers to make up for Higley's disaster, but EJ is still right there on the frontburner. He is the only young leading man that they have.

Uhm, Melody doesn't willingly exit, the brass just stops calling her when they don't want to pay her anymore. It's not Melody. It's Sony.