HEATH Ledger is stealing the spotlight from beyond the grave in one of Hollywood’s most anticipated blockbusters of the year.
Chilling promotional images of Ledger portraying the Joker from the upcoming Batman movie, The Dark Knight, have been released - nearly three months after the Perth-born actor was found dead in New York.
In one scene from the film, Ledger is dressed in a white nurse’s uniform, wielding a gun and wearing a surgical mask.
In another, his face painted with the Joker’s trademark evil grin in red, he points a gun directly at the camera.
These are just two of the many images film company Warner Bros is using to promote The Dark Knight, to be released in Australia on July 17.
From the movie’s promotional material to the trailer, Ledger appears to be the main attraction, with Christian Bale, who plays Batman, taking a back seat.
One poster for The Dark Knight features only Ledger as the Joker, creepily peering through a frosted window with the catchphrase: “Why so serious?” written in blood.
The film also stars Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman and Bale _ reprising his role as Batman.
Ledger’s role as the smudge-faced villain is tipped to be his greatest performance, prompting early buzz that he could be nominated for an Oscar award.
“Heath was an incredible actor and he brought a very, very scary Joker to life,” said Bale. “Heath shocked us as the Joker and his death shocked all of us.”
Ledger was found dead in his New York apartment on January 22 after an accidental overdose.
The Dark Knight is the last feature film he completed before his death. He was filming Terry Gilliam’s The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus days before he died but wasn’t able to finish the film.
Ledger had big shoes to fill by taking on the role of the Joker, which was made famous by Jack Nicholson.
During filming, Ledger said the darkness of the role had troubled him.
“He’s just out of control - no empathy, he’s a sociopath, a psychotic, mass-murdering clown,” Ledger said of the character before his death.
Veteran Michael Caine has also spoken highly of Ledger’s Joker portrayal.
“Jack (Nicholson) was like a really scary old, nasty uncle with a funny face,” Caine said. “Heath’s like the most murderous psychopath you’ve ever seen on the screen.”
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