movies

Heath Ledger: And the Oscar Goes to...Heaven

by celebuzz on Jul. 4, 2008 03:00 PM / 3 Comments
Heath Ledger: And the Oscar Goes to...Heaven
WENN

Heath Ledger won't be making it to the next Oscars ceremony, but if his costars in The Dark Knight have their way, he will be honored.

During a press conference for the new Batman flick, several of Heath's castmates hinted that he should be up for an Academy Award for his twisted take on the Joker, reports E! Online.

"The Academy tends to overlook movies like this," said Gary Oldman, who plays Lt. James Gordon in the film. "But this acting is so good it's going to be very hard for them to avoid it."

Rolling Stone critic Peter Travers would probably be inclined to agree. In his Dark Knight review, Travers raves, "I can only speak superlatives of Ledger, who is mad-crazy-blazing brilliant as the Joker."

So is all the praise justified, or is it sympathetic puffery for an actor who died tragically? The proof will be in the film's July 18 release, but if these two think they're worthy of Emmys, Heath has a shot at Oscar consideration. And the Nobel Prize.

Quotables /
“Heath Ledger will be given a fond tribute by castmates at the end of the new Batman film. The end credits of 'The Dark Knight' will include a touching farewell to the actor, who plays the Gotham City's villainous Joker. A special-effects technician, who was killed last September in a stunt car accident, will also be honoured in the joint dedication. The four-line tribute will appear as credits begin to roll. "In memory of our friends Heath Ledger & Conway Wickliffe," reads the message included in the credits, which went up Thursday on the Warner Bros website.

Ledger died in January from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs. Critics who have already seen the film have heaped praise on Ledger's performance. The movie, which opens in the U.S. on July 18, also stars Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart and Maggie Gyllenhaal. Director Christopher Nolan said of Leger: "I needed a phenomenal actor, but he also had to be someone unafraid of taking on such an iconic role," "Heath created something entirely original. It's stunning, it's captivating - it's going to blow people away."”
Splash News Online
“Christian Bale talks parenting, privacy and "kindred spirit" Heath Ledger in the new issue of Parade. Here are some great excerpts:

Your co-star Heath Ledger, who plays The Joker, died tragically after the film wrapped. Do you mind talking about him? No, listen, I want to talk about Heath.
When you miss somebody, you want to speak about him. He was a unique character, a very infectious character. He was a good man, and I was glad to have spent time with him. He
was somebody who I’d been seeing on a daily basis for months. It takes a long time to accept that someone’s gone, when all body and mind are telling you that this is somebody you will know for a great deal of time. He was something of a kindred spirit to myself.

It must be difficult. Much of it has to do with my respect for his daughter, whom he loved so dearly and whom he would talk about so often. For me, that is of
incredible importance. I hope in a small way that The Dark Knight can be a celebration of his work. Not like the hideous circus after he died, which I felt was an invasion of
a private life. This movie is not a personal home video. This is what he did. I hope people will embrace that in the correct fashion.

Tell me about agreeing to do the next Terminator. I’ve always had two varying degrees of success, and I’m not talking about anything to do with box office. I’m talking about my own parameters. You know, an interest in attempting in a wide variety of stories. I never desired to be a big studio movie actor, action actor. I’ve never desired to be a serious independent movie actor. I enjoy all of those. It depends on what mood I’m in. And therefore, I will try to bend those stories into becoming something that I can enjoy myself, varying degrees of success with that. We have an opportunity with it for a continuation, but also a reinvention, and I have to say, much the same way in my mind as we have with Batman. And beyond that I won’t say anymore because we’re just starting. (Editor’s Translation: “No, I can’t talk about it.”)”
Just Jared
“Commemorating Heath Ledger's performance in the Batman movie, The Dark Knight, a special tribute will be included in the credits of the film to remember the late 28-year-old actor who passed away in January of this year.

Additionally, a special effect technician who died in a stunt-car accident last year is also included in the note. The farewell message reads, "In memory of our friends Heath Ledger & Conway Wickliffe."

As for Heath's performance in the film, Rolling Stone's Peter Travers is convinced that Ledger delivered an Oscar-worthy take on the Joker saying, "If there's a movement to get him the first posthumous Oscar since Peter Finch won for 1976's Network, sign me up."

Just one more reason confirming that I should go see this movie. And not just because I need the free air conditioning.”
Socialite Life
“Director Christopher Nolan spoke to Entertainment Weekly about the late Heath Ledger, who plays The Joker in the upcoming superhero blockbuster, The Dark Knight. Here's what he had to say:
On Heath's commitment to his character: The guy had serious nuts. What I needed was someone who wouldn't be afraid.”
Just Jared
“Heath Ledger might have lived to see an Oscar, following his 'brilliant' portrayal of 'the joker' in his last completed movie, The Dark Knight, according to the movie's first reviews.”
Pacific Coast News
Next Story / Simply Tabulous: This Week in the Celeb Press

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