As we reported previously, Las Vegas will be returning for a fifth season without some of its famed cast members.  James Caan, who played Ed Deline, former head of security and president of operations of the Montecito Group, will no longer be a series regular on the NBC drama since he has moved on to pursue his movie career.

“I've had a wonderful four years, worked with great people and made friends for life working on Las Vegas.  But I'm eager to return to where my heart is, which is film, and due to the show's schedule, I missed some great opportunities to do that… I wish the show and everyone involved with it continued success," Caan told the Hollywood Reporter.

NBC hasn't disclosed any comments regarding his departure although the network's entertainment president Kevin Reilly has commended the cast for consistently satisfying the network's expectations.

Despite his departure, Caan remains open to the possibility of his return to the series as a guest star.

The 67-year-old actor is popularly known for his Academy Award nominated role of Sonny Corleone in the 1972 film The Godfather and its sequel.  In addition, he has also gained fame and recognition for portraying Paul Sheldon in Misery, Sgt. Eddie Dohun in A Bridge Too Far, and Brian Piccolo in Brian's Song.

Most recently, he worked on several video games, providing the voice of his infamous mob character Santino 'Sonny' Corleone in The Godfather: Blackhand Edition and The Godfather: The Don's Edition.

At present, Caan is in talks of playing director Raoul Walsh in an upcoming movie about his life.

A new season of Las Vegas airs this coming September and will feature Tom Selleck as the powerful and a high-spirited new owner of the Montecito Resort & Casino.  Josh Duhamel, Molly Sims, James Lesure and Vanessa Marcil are also set to return.


-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: IMDB, E! Online
(Image courtesy of Yahoo)