Johnny Cash Played By Joaquin Phoenix In New Film

Joaquin Phoenix has signed up to play Johnny Cash in a film about the late great country singer’s life.

He will star alongside Reese Witherspoon who will play June Carter-Cash in the forthcoming film 'Walk The Line'.

In an interview with Newsweek Phoenix denied using his own experience of losing his brother (River) in order to portray Cash convincingly.

He said: "I don't need to pull from my experience for a character, and I've never understood why actors would, except for lack of ability, imagination or research,"

"I had all three things, so this is a little frustrating to me, because it denies my work and the research that I did."

"It bothers me that this happens, because it's slightly exploitative. Suggesting that I would use this personal part of my life for a ****ing movie ... it kind of makes me sick."

Phoenix had the pleasure of meeting Cash about 5 years ago, when they spoke about Phoenix’s role in the film ‘Gladiator’, Cash said to him: "I really loved that 'Gladiator.'”

I really like the way you say 'Your wife moaned like a whore as they ravaged her again and again and again".

'Walk The Line' is out in America in November.