<Tr> <Th> Budget </Th> <Td> $28 million </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Box office </Th> <Td> $186.4 million </Td> </Tr> <P> Walk the Line is a 2005 American biographical drama film directed by James Mangold . The screenplay, written by Mangold and Gill Dennis, is based on two autobiographies authored by singer - songwriter Johnny Cash--Man in Black: His Own Story in His Own Words and Cash: The Autobiography . The film follows Cash's early life, his romance with June Carter, and his ascent to the country music scene . It stars Joaquin Phoenix as Cash, Reese Witherspoon as Carter, Ginnifer Goodwin as Vivian Liberto, and Robert Patrick as Cash's father . </P> <P> Walk the Line previewed at the Telluride Film Festival on September 4, 2005, and went into wide release on November 18 . The film was nominated for five Oscars at the 78th Academy Awards, including Best Actor (Phoenix), Best Actress (Witherspoon, which she won), and Best Costume Design (Arianne Phillips). The film grossed more than $186 million worldwide . </P>

Who played johnny cash in i walk the line