Ledger to play The Joker in Next Batman film

[birdsanctuary]

Ledger to play The Joker in Batman film
LINK1
LINK2

After earning critical acclaim by portraying a gay cowboy and then a junkie, Heath Ledger has now been cast as The Joker in the next Batman movie.

After weeks of speculation, Warner Brothers Pictures has confirmed the Oscar nominee will play the comic character in the upcoming Batman film, The Dark Knight.

By playing the role of The Joker, Ledger will be following in the footsteps of actors including Jack Nicholson.

The Australian, who is based in Los Angeles, will star opposite Christian Bale, who also played the caped crusader in 2005's Batman Begins.

Batman Begins director Christopher Nolan will also return, and is set to begin production early next year.

"Chris's unique vision is what made Batman Begins such an outstanding film and we could not imagine anyone else at the helm of The Dark Knight," said Warner Bros president of production, Jeff Robinov.

"We also can't wait to see two such formidable actors as Christian and Heath face off with each other as Batman and The Joker."

Bale is on contract for three Batman films, as are Michael Caine and Gary Oldman.

It's reported Katie Holmes and Morgan Freeman will reprise their roles from Batman Begins.

Ledger earned Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA and SAG Award nominations and won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for best actor for his portrayal of gay cowboy Ennis Del Mar in the acclaimed drama Brokeback Mountain.

This year he played a heroin addict in Australian Neil Armfield's acclaimed movie Candy.

His other film credits include Casanova, Monster's Ball, Two Hands, Lords of Dogtown, The Brothers Grimm and The Patriot.

Ledger is also slated to play Bob Dylan in the upcoming Todd Haynes film, I'm Not There.