Movie star RYAN GOSLING's career could have been very different if BACKSTREET BOYS star A.J. McLEAN had called him back when they were neighbors in Florida.

Gosling recently revealed he came close to becoming a member of the Backstreet Boys but missed out - and now McLean feels awful about not calling his old pal and offering him the chance to live out his pop star dreams.

In a new video interview, obtained by TMZ.com, the singer says, "Ryan, I am so sorry that I didn't call you back."

McLean claims his old pal didn't think the Backstreet Boys were going to go anywhere, but when they started to take off, the actor called his friend who was too busy to return the call.

And he can only hope that the interest is still there, adding, "If we ever want a sixth Backstreet Boy member, I'm gonna call you. You can sing.

"He can sing his a** off. He's not only a great actor and a handsome man."