First Look: Heath Ledger In ‘The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus’
The first photos from the late Heath Ledger’s final role have made their way to the Internets. The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus was the film that Heath was working on — was very close to finishing, in fact — when he tragically passed away earlier this year. As y’all know, Heath very expertly portrayed The Joker in this summer’s blockbuster film Batman: The Dark Knight but it turns out that his other performance as a clown will be remembered as his final film:
Newly released photos show Heath Ledger in the film role he never completed. The actor died of an overdose of prescription medicine halfway through filming The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus in January. The 28-year-old’s death temporarily stopped work on the film, but it has now been completed and is due out next year. The photos are the first official shots to be released. Following his death Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell all stepped in to fill his role for the remainder of the film, playing different incarnations of Ledger’s character. The £15 million fantasy film involves a supernatural mirror that takes people into different dimensions, allowing director Terry Gilliam to switch between actors. Gilliam, who previously worked with Ledger on The Brothers Grimm, has retained the footage shot of the late actor. A third of the movie was filmed in London’s Clerkenwell, with Ledger dying in his Manhattan apartment three days after completion. His co-stars, including model Lily Cole, went onto film in Canada.
Even tho it’s been many months since Heath Ledger passed away, I still find his loss very hard to accept. He was so vibrant and was such a talented actor … I really do miss him still. Even tho I had no reservations in watching Heath’s performance in The Dark Knight after his passing, I am hesitant about seeing this movie. I dunno why … there is a different sort of tragedy attached to this film for me. I have no doubt that Heath turned in an exceptional performance. After the jump, check out a few more photos of Heath as the motley clown in Parnassus …
I know it doesn’t make sense considering the violently brilliant performance he gave in TDK but something about this film gives me the willies. Are any of y’all interested in seeing Heath’s final performance in this film or are y’all happy to leave it at The Dark Knight?
Tags: 'The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus', Heath Ledger
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October 24th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
I found watching TDK much more haunting than the prospect of seeing this, as it was in his preperation for his role as The Joker that he ended up needing sleeping pills, which in the end brought about his death… I found the idea of us being entertained by what essentially killed him very creepy. This film I don’t attach the same kind of feelings.
October 24th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
I totally want to see this movie. The man was a brillant actor and it will be a pleasure to see him do what he does best one last time.
October 24th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
I feel I would see this film. Heath seemed to love what he did and no doubt had a ton of talent, more so than we see now a days. This is just another piece of art he put his touch into and I would more than love to see this film. It’s as if we don’t see the film it would be missing out on his last moments of him expressing his talent. It’s just sad he won’t see the result of his hard work. RIP Heath
October 24th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
I would watch it, definitely. Most of all cos I´ve watched evrything he did since I saw him in “10 things I hate about you” and “fell in love” with him. I disagree with Y that says he/she associates TDK with his death. I think whatever issues he had were not the consecuence of portraying the joker or whatever part you can think of. I don`t think playing a part in a movie can affect you to such extend. I do feel he might have been really affected by his divorce and being away from matilda, who knows… I loved the joker, made the movie worth watching, I like Christian Bale but his batman voice annoys the hell out of me… what`s up with that?? He already has a nice tone of voice, I would understand it if he sounded like Becks in real life (I still love him anyway!) but he doesnt!
October 24th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
I will def see this film. I was like so many more of his fans was absolutely shocked and devestated by his loss. This may give all of his fans some closure. I am also curious to see how his role plays out in this movie. What an honorable thing to do on the actors part as far as their pay goes. His daughter Matilda is so precious. She looks just like her daddy. So sad that she will never know him :(
October 24th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Oh, I WILL be seeing this movie.
October 24th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
I think Heath would want us to watch it, and by honoring and enjoying his work, watching it with our friends or family.
October 24th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Well put, elkay
October 24th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
I am greatly saddened by his death. I do remember reading somewhere though that his role in this movie isn’t necessarily a clown, but the Devil. I think his clown maskand persona are just part of the way they chose the Devil to be represented, and also why the tone of these pictures is so dark. I think it was when talking abou why they were able to bring in several actors to play his role and finish the film-because the devil has many faces..
October 24th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
I’m dying to see this movie.I love Heath and have most of his movies and australian tv shows.I still can’t get it that he’s gone.Such a loss.Thanks that he left a nice collection of performances to live on.
October 24th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
i think i agree with you on this. the pictures are just like, wow. and i love the dark knight but this is just different. its the last movie of his ever.
October 26th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
i’m interested in seeing how they salvaged this film with the other three actors. heath ledger obviously saw something in this project and so i know that it’s going to be amazing.
October 27th, 2008 at 3:30 am
when i heard that heath ledger died i totally can’t believe it..it was so sudden and so tragic.. i mean i used to see him on tv and stuff.. but then the moment i heard the news my heart starts pumping.. my heart starts to beat really fast… really no joke! then i can see the trailer of the dark knight on movie houses im having goosebumps! literally! my friends were like what?? you don’t know him and he doesnt know you.. ahah.. but i dunoo theres just something about his death…
February 17th, 2009 at 6:00 am
Heath Ledger will Eternally be remembered by those who’s hearts he touched..In his short Life He touched SO many people. He is nothing short of a MIRACLE. Every ounce of him was beyond words. The authenticity of heath was unmeasurable. He was full of talent and charisma, he was kind and genuine. Michelle Williams said {after heath’s passing} How full of Vunerabilities he was. Yet you’d never know it. His performances were filled with sheer brilliance. He was certainly coming into his own. The world has lost so very much when we Lost him.. I pray wherever he is now that he is happy and rested. I will 4ever keep him in my heart, as will millions of others who loved him as I do. So yes I will definitly see this movie..cant wait in fact…Anything with Heath involved I want to see.. RIP Sweet Man!!!