Actor Ryan Phillippe would like to set the record straight.  He wants me

everyone to know that his “friendship” with Abbie Cornish had nothing to do with his break from Reese Witherspoon.

Speculation about a relationship between Phillippe, 33,  and Cornish, 25, began when the two worked together on Stop-Loss.  (That film is scheduled to be released March 28.)  In a interview with W, Ryan doesn’t deny ever becoming involved with the Australian actress, only that it wasn’t the reason for his public split.

“It was unfair for her to be called the names that she was, because it wasn’t about that. I don’t think an outside person can ever cause a divorce. I had difficulties in my relationship, and in my marriage, long before I ever met her.”

Well, duh.  If you become involved with another woman - it’s clearly because you were the problem to begin with.

Witherspoon, 31, has since moved on from her her seven-year marriage and rebounded with the hunky Jake Gyllenhaal.  (She apparently has a thing for men with complicated last names.)

Ryan’s moved on as well.  He and

Abbie Cornish have not only been seen snowboarding together recently, they have another joint project in the works:  Last Battle Dreamer.  That movie is currently in pre-production.