Woody's Muse Scarlett Should Have Been Winslet

Finding a new muse in SCARLETT JOHANSSON was a happy accident for filmmaker WOODY ALLEN because he was planning to make movies with Brit KATE WINSLET.

The revered director had cast Titanic star Winslet in Match Point, but the actress had to pull out to spend more time with her kids - so Allen turned to Johansson.

The odd couple has gone on to make three films together, including new movie Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

Allen says, "I had Kate Winslet right up to the last week in pre-production. Then she said she couldn't do the picture because she had worked continually and had spent no time with her child.

"I forgave her and understood that completely but I didn't know Scarlett from a hole in the wall. I thought she was too young; she was only 19 years old at the time.

"But I was in a hole and had to get someone fairly quickly. I knew Scarlett was a great actress and a beauty but I didn't know if she was really what I had written. I hired her and became totally captivated by her."

Allen admits the Lost In Translation star has become his latest muse, following in the footsteps of actresses and ex-lovers Diane Keaton and Mia Farrow.

He adds, "I would always call her, as I did with Diane and Mia for years. Mia was a wonderful actress and she never let me down. The same would be true with Scarlett."