Scarlett Johansson Defended by Brian Cox  8/22/05

British acting veteran Brian Cox has blasted the producers of The Island for blaming poor ticket sales on the Scarlett Johansson's performance.

The 59-year-old star leaped to the blonde star's defense after film bosses publicly claimed, "Even lesser television actresses would have more connection to that audience."

Cox, who worked with Johansson last year (04) on Woody Allen's new movie Match Point, says, "I can't believe they blamed her - that's wrong of them.

"She's a phenomenal actress, despite being very young. I enjoyed working with her.

"She's very talented. She's Woody Allen's muse now, you know."