Scarlett Johansson has dismissed claims she lost out on a part in the London stage revival of The Sound Of Music because of outrageous Hollywood demands. Theatre impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber claims he handpicked Johansson for the part of Maria Von Trapp, but axed her when she made ridiculous requests of his West End team.

“Her people were not `pro’ the idea. It became clear that it wasn’t going to work because the demands were so ridiculous,” Lloyd Webber was quoted as saying in The Times newspaper. He also said Johansson’s representatives “couldn’t understand why she would want to appear in the West End for $18,500 a week when she could be earning $10 million for a movie.” “It was annoying because she really wanted to do it,” Lloyd Webber was quoted as saying.

Lloyd Webber said he was also told that Johansson would need two assistants stationed backstage at all times, according to the report.

Johansson’s publicist Marcel Parisbeau says, “It is true that there were some discussions regarding Scarlett and the production of ’The Sound of Music.’ Mr. Webber’s statement regarding the demands is extremely exaggerated. Her management team was simply asking for terms that an actress of her stature would ask for.”

The role of Maria will now be played by an actress to be chosen from British reality TV show “How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?,” which will award a six-month contract to one of 10 finalists.

On another note, what’s with the cellulite on Johansson’s legs at the tender age of 21? Is David Letterman feeding Johansson regurgitation like a bird during a commercial break below?