Sharon Stone has reportedly been dropped from the cast of new movie Mermaid Island following her controversial comments about the country's recent earthquake.

The Hollywood actress stunned journalists at the Cannes International Film Festival in France last month when she suggested the disaster, which left more than 67,000 people dead, was down to "karma" - linking the tragedy to China's treatment of Tibetans.

Officials in the country had threatened to ban her films, with French fashion house Christian Dior also dropping her from advertising campaigns in the nation. And now her comments have cost her a major movie role. Stone was due to star alongside Monica Bellucci in the forthcoming U.S.-Chinese production which is to be helmed by Catwoman director Pitof.

However now according to Moviehole.net, Stone has been dropped by producers and the role is set to be re-cast. Stone has since re-issued an apology for her remarks, insisting her "words were never meant to be hurtful to anyone; they were an accident of my distraction and a product of news sensationalism."

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(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)