HEATH LEDGER IS BATMAN'S JOKER?

Looks like a confirmation is hours away, but after months of rumour involving everyone from Johnny Depp to Jude Law, it appears the role of the Joker in the next Batman film may go to Oscar nominated actor Heath Ledger (A Knight's Tale, Brokeback Mountain). The Joker is generally ackownledged as the primary arch-villain in Batman canon.

Looks like most of the principles, including Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman and Michael Caine will be back to join Christian Bale and director Chris Nolan. No idea if Katie Holmes will return (who'd miss her though) and I doubt it, but I'd like to see a return of Cillian Murphy's Scarecrow, who was a great secondary villain in the first picture.

Heath has a helluva task in front of him as Jack Nicholson's Joker stole the show in the 1989 Batman movie. I'd guess we're more likely to see a creepy maniacal Joker rather than the over the top theatrical version. I've no idea which particular Joker comic book story could serve the basis for the character.

HEATH LEDGER IS BATMAN'S JOKER FOR THE DARK KNIGHT - NEWSARAMA