Deadline.com has learned that representatives for both Justin Timberlake and Elton John are denying there's anything real behind that published rumor that both musicians are in talks to replace Simon Cowell as a permanent judge onAmerican Idol.

A Justin insider says the report is "just silly" because Timberlake has no time for a gig like this. That's because his film career is really taking off after acting turns in David Fincher's Oscar-touted The Social Network as well as Bad Teacher and Friends with Benefits. And he's been offered the lead in the Andrew Niccols-directed I'm Mortal for New Regency and Fox.

Elton John's name surfaced the moment Cowell announced his exit -- which is why the singer's UK publicist Gary Farrow just gave this blunt quote to Deadline London editor Tim Adler: “Absolute rubbish... This story’s three months old. There’s more chance of you fucking me than Elton appearing on US Idol.”

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