I just keep thinking how strange it is for a movie to be this huge after the death of one of the starring actors. But, really, it's a tribute to Heath Ledger that Dark Knight has been SO insanely successful. Maggie Gyllenhaal thinks that he deserves an Oscar for the movie.

"Degree of difficulty should be incorporated into the award."

Can't argue with that one. And Maggie went on to say,

"To be that incredible in a movie that's this huge, that's about so many things, is really an accomplishment," she said. "In a way I feel funny thinking about the Oscars when he isn't alive, but at the same time I'm a member of the Academy and I would vote for him."

On his performance she added,

"In order to be a good actor you have to find a place where you are free, but it's very unusual to be absolutely free in the way that he was in this movie It was inspiring working with him."

Heath even has fans campaigning for him. So who knows, maybe the Academy will take notice. Do you think Heath should get an Oscar for his role as the Joker?

Michelle Williams fears that Matilda is too young to really remember her father. So in order to make sure her daughter will know Heath Ledger as she grows older, the actress is planning on making a movie about his life.

"It makes Michelle’s heart ache that Matilda was so young when Heath died and she’s unlikely to retain any memories of her father. "She (Williams) wants to keep his spirit alive with something Matilda can treasure all her life."

I think it's a wonderful idea and since she has the means and connections to do it, why not?

Some are calling for Heath Ledger's performance in Batman to get altered. It's too bloody, violent, dark... but that's exactly how Heath wanted it says co-star Christian Bale. And to alter it in any way would be a disservice to Heath, his work and everything he stood for. 

"I know there are a lot of people out there who don’t think this movie should be shown. But, if you’re asking my opinion, I think that’s bloody insane. I also think it’s an insult to Heath and everything he stood for.

"I don’t think anything should be cut - I think it’s the movie he wanted to make.  The guy was brilliant. He was a fantastic actor and he put everything into this part. I absolutely know without question that he would have wanted everyone to see it.

"For me, this is a celebration of what he did best - entertain people… Respect the man. This is what he did. This is what he wanted to do."

What do you think? Leave it as is? Or tame it down?

The new Joker poster is out, but I didn't put it as the large picture because it's bloody and literally made my stomach flip flop when I saw it. I don't know if it's the gore or just looking at Heath Ledger or what. Click on the thumbnail to enlarge and tell me what you think...is anyone else as creeped out as I am???

 

You hear about a lot of stories getting turned into Broadway shows...but an opera? That's a new one! UsWeekly is reporting that Brokeback Mountain will be made into an opera, premiering in 2013.

The New York City Opera commissioned Charles Wuorinen to compose a show based on the 1997 short story — which was turned into the 2005 Oscar-winning movie starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal.

It might actually be a good way to bring a new art form to the masses. People who wouldn't normally go see an opera might check it out because of the popularity of the movie and of Heath.  Would you buy tickets?

Rumors that Heath Ledger has another daughter from before Matilda was born are untrue. The woman in question supposedly talked to a UK newspaper and told them that there's no way Heath could be the father.

"You have no proof, there's no background, there's no grounds, there's no nothing," she continued.
Her husband supported her assertions: "The whole thing with [Ledger being the father] is no. No way. No can be."

Well, it's good to have that cleared up. I doubted the story from the beginning. Hopefully this is last kind of crazy rumor that we will hear about the poor man.

Why can't they let this man rest in peace? An estranged uncle, who LOVES to talk, is now stirring up rumors that Heath Ledger could possibly be the father of another child from a relationship he had while he was a teenager. There are no concrete facts and the woman who is allegedly the mother hasn't said anything about whether or not this is true. People Magazine reports,

When he was just 17 years old, Ledger reportedly dated a 25-year-old woman - “ who discovered she was pregnant after the relationship ended and later gave birth to baby girl. Although the woman was living with another man at the time, Ledger's uncle Hadyn claimed to the paper, "There is a very real possibility that Heath was the father."

On a side note, what do you think about Heath's family keeping his money and promising to care for Matilda because the will was not updated after his daughter was born. Wouldn't you think that Heath would have wanted his daughter to be cared for and not his three sisters? I really hope they do right by Matilda.
... I still can't believe he is dead.

"Mr. Heath Ledger died as the result of acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam, and doxylamine," the office said in a short statement.
"We have concluded that the manner of death is accident, resulting from the abuse of prescription medications."

Hydrocodone and oxycodone are painkillers. Diazepam is an anti-anxiety drug commonly sold under the brand name Valium; alprazolam is also an anti-anxiety drug, sold under such names as Xanax. Temazepam, sold under such names as Restoril and Euhypnos, is a sleeping agent, as is doxylamine.
-- as reported by CNN
UPDATE: Heath's family released the following statement:
We remain humble as parents and a family, among millions of people worldwide who may have suffered the tragic loss of a child. Few can understand the hollow, wrenching, and enduring agony parents silently suffer when a child predeceases them. Today's results put an end to speculation, but our son's beautiful spirit and enduring memory will forever remain in our hearts.
While no medications were taken in excess, we learned today the combination of doctor-prescribed drugs proved lethal for our boy. Heath's accidental death serves as a caution to the hidden dangers of combining prescription medication, even at low dosage.
Our family enjoyed an extremely happy two week visit with Heath just prior to the New Year. Those recent precious days will stay with us forever. We as a family feel privileged to have some of his amazing magic moments captured in film. To most of the world Heath was an actor of immeasurable talent and promise. To those who knew him personally, Heath was a consummate artist whose passions also included photography, music, chess and directing. We knew Heath as a loving father, as our devoted son, and as a loyal and generous brother and friend.
We treasure our beautiful granddaughter Matilda (to our dear Michelle) as well as an unbelievably wonderful network of close friends, forever, around the world. Families rarely experience the uplifting, warm and massive outpouring of grief and support as have we, from every corner of the planet. This has deeply and profoundly touched our hearts and lives. We are eternally grateful.
At this moment we respectfully request the worldwide media allow us time to grieve privately, without the intrusions associated with press and photography.

"Please respect our need to grieve privately. My heart is broken. I am the mother of the most tender-hearted, high-spirited, beautiful little girl who is the spitting image of her father. All that I can cling to is his presence inside her that reveals itself every day.
"His family and I watch Matilda as she whispers to trees, hugs animals, and takes steps two at a time, and we know that he is with us still. She will be brought up in the best memories of him."

--  Michelle Williams talking about her need for privacy
May they all find peace.

This part of award shows always get to me. You don't really hear about everyone who passes away if they are no longer in the public eye. And it seems the older I get, the more people I am sad to find out have left us. In any event, each of these actors and actresses left their print on the industry and will be missed.