Producers of The Island are blaming Scarlett Johansson and Ewan McGregor for the film's box office failure.

In a posting on their own website, Walter Parkes and wife Laurie McDonald took the opportunity to criticise the performances of Scarlett and Ewan.

"Listen, those are superstars of the future, not superstars of the present," the pair wrote.

"Even lesser television actresses, quite honestly would have more connection to that audience."