Break out the tissues, it appears another potential 007 actor has dropped out of the casting race:

Hugh Jackman, star of such unforgettable epics as, er, X-Men (not a general election special it seems), who enjoyed artistic acclaim for his role in, um, Van Helsing (which turns out to be a movie, not a Dutch dessert), has declined a lucrative opportunity to play Bond, and there are apparently few other takers.

The precise reason for this snub is in dispute. Jackman’s friends insist that he was simply too busy, while others imply that the part has lost its appeal in the United States or even that it has become a role for an “up-and-coming” actor and not an established personality.

I think it is safe to say that Pierce Brosnan is laughing his ass off.

Ring in a new round of “pass-the-buck” as “The Island”s blame shifting continues full force.

It’s always funny how producers try to dodge the box-office bomb bullet, but end up with some sticky stuff dripping down their faces:

The star [Scarlett Johansson] is mad as hell at the husband-and-wife producing team of Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald because, as PAGE SIX reported last week, they faulted her and co-star Ewan MacGregor’s lack of star power for the movie’s flop. Parkes went as far as to tell zap2it.com, “Even lesser television actresses, quite honestly, would have more connection to that audience.”

Now the gloves are off, and insiders on the picture are blaming the producers rather than the two young stars.

We’re told that Parkes and MacDonald “were only on the set three times” and that they spent three weeks in June, right before the movie’s release, on vacation in Italy, where they were “basically uncontactable.”

Sources also tattle that director Michael Bay delivered a final print of “The Island” only two days before the press screening and that during a meeting in April at Parkes’ office, DreamWorks publicity chief Terry Press admitted, “I have no idea how to market this movie.”

A spokesman for Johansson tells PAGE SIX’s Tom Sykes, “We find it incredible that the producers of ‘The Island’ have blamed the low box-office results on the film’s two lead actors. This is a clear-cut example of the producers’ passing the buck and not taking responsibility for their part in making calculated mistakes throughout the film’s marketing.”

The rep continues: “Ms. Johansson is proud of her performance and the film… The film and the actors’ performances were overall well received by the critics. We put our trust in the professionals who sold and promoted this film. It is unforgivable that the producers continue to blame everyone but themselves.” […]

Parkes and MacDonald ate their words as PAGE SIX went to press, praising “Scarlett Johansson and Ewan McGregor’s extraordinary work” and alleging that their “comments were taken completely out of context.” DreamWorks had no comment.

Makes me wonder what Steven Spielberg was doing during this clusterfuck.

Oh, that’s right, he was chasing after Kooky Cruise.

I’m probably in the minority here, but I’ve always thought Claire Forlani was a promising actress with a bright future.

Too bad she’s opted to bury her career in some crappy Uwe Boll picture:

Claire Forlani is joining the cast of “Dungeon Siege,” director Uwe Boll’s adaptation of the video game of the same name that Brightlight Pictures is filming in Vancouver. Forlani will play Solana, wife of the film’s hero, Farmer, played by Jason Statham.

I know what you’re thinking: That doesn’t sound so bad.

I’d agree if I wasn’t so keenly aware of Uwe Boll’s fanbase and total lack of talent.