ASHTON KUTCHER - KUTCHER'S PUBLIC IMAGE 'COST HIM SODERBERGH PROJECT'

ASHTON KUTCHER's very public profile has cost him a role in an upcoming STEVEN SODERBERGH movie, insiders claim.

The 25-year-old actor, currently dating 41-year-old STRIPTEASE beauty DEMI MOORE, was reportedly approached by the TRAFFIC and ERIN BROCKOVICH director with a view to being cast in one of his soon-to-shoot projects.

But according to sources at Soderbergh's production company SECTION EIGHT, the film-maker was unsure if JUST MARRIED star Kutcher "was up to par professionally" for the job.

According to American magazine the STAR, Kutcher read from a script for K STREET - GEORGE CLOONEY's Washington, DC, political drama - as an audition for one of six upcoming Soderbergh projects, and was told he was being considered for the heart-throb in one of them.

But in return, sources say Soderbergh asked that Kutcher shun the celebrity spotlight.

A source explains, "Steven told Ashton, 'If I see you pose for the cover of one more magazine or photographed at more parties, I'll take you off the picture.' Steven made it clear he wanted to work with an actor, not a party boy."

Although Kutcher stayed away from parties to secure the role, Soderbergh reportedly became annoyed at all the attention he received for the second season of his prank show PUNK'D, which premiered last month (OCT03) - and called off the collaboration on 23 October.

The source tells the publication, "Steven alluded that Ashton was too much of a prankster and that he just didn't feel an audience would see him as the character rather than 'the kid with Demi Moore'."

Soderbergh's representatives deny the claims.