1. I have to agree on the posthumous Oscar. This is not a role anyone would have received a nomination for in the past. Ledger should have been honor by the Academy for his performance in Brokeback Mountain, which was truly his best work. If it turns out Ledger had the best performance of any actor this year, this sure, but if the only reason to give him an Oscar is because he gave a haunting performance right before he died, well, that's doesn't seem right to me.

Posted at 1:33PM on Jun 27th 2008 by Jimmy

2. As someone who has seen the film, I can assure that he most certainly would have gotten a nomination for it if he was still alive. A remarkable performance is a remarkable performance regardless. If Johnny Depp can be nominated for Best Actor for the first Pirates then Ledger could have been for TDK.

Posted at 2:12PM on Jun 27th 2008 by Stax

3. Damnit Stax, you stole my point from me. I remember how much hype he was getting for his performance from the instant anyone saw any footage, and the academy showed they would nominate strong performances in blockbuster movies by nominating Depp. A nomination, even a win, would not only NOT tarnish his performance but, in my opinion, elevate it.

Posted at 2:23PM on Jun 27th 2008 by Kevin

4. It'll be REALLY interesting then if he doesn't get the nom despite having died.

Posted at 2:35PM on Jun 27th 2008 by Eugene Novikov

5. Eugene, You were right on the money until your closing remarks. I agree fully with you that everybody involved with this movie have handled the whole Ledger situation remarkably well and should be applauded for that. In this trashy commercial day and age it could have been a total mess and like you I am really glad I am going to walk into the cinema and watch this movie without once feeling awkward about it.

But I would probably guess you have not seen the movie yet and if that is the case your assumption that Ledger would not have got an Oscar nomination had he been alive is a little off. Let us wait to see his performance, if it is anywhere near as good as is reported then I actually do not see why he would not have got an oscar nomination.

I am certainly not alone in thinking that Christopher Nolan's Batman films are more than a cut above the usual comic book hero movies that seem to be everywhere now. I certainly think that the Academy will do more to recognize this when nominations are being handed out.

After a run of Oscars that have been swept up by movies that while certainly the best movies made were not actually seen by the "general" movie going public the Oscars probably need to do something to redress the balance a little, for the sake of its own marketing if nothing more.

I would hope (and assume) The Dark Knight is everything it appears to be and we know it is much more than a simple comic book hero flick, Batman Begins worked on other levels and appealed to a much wider spectrum (I hate comic book films!). One would assume this would be the "peoples choice" movie that the Oscars will need to include in nominations and if Ledger really has pulled one out of the bag with this role then I for one will not be complaining.

Posted at 6:52PM on Jun 27th 2008 by Gary

6. The whole concept is tacky and unwarranted. They are blowing this guy's death way out of proportion.

I'll wait for DVD now. I was all over seeing this film but all this unnecessary hype directed at an average actor - and mumbler - is totally sickening, reeking of exploitation. It's not like 99% of the population could even name 3 Ledger films, including this one...

Posted at 2:43AM on Jun 28th 2008 by YouFaceTheTick

7. I don't think a simple dedication at the end of the film for a deceased cast member is "unwarranted and tacky". The whole situation was handled with a lot of class; they could've easily used Ledger's name to boost opening revenue, but didn't. Of course, people went to see "Ledger", but that's because people are curious and prone to talk, not because he was portrayed a tradgey.

His performance was great in my opinion. I couldn't stop starring at the screen everytime he came on. And the best thing...you loose sight Heath Ledger, the person, and instead see only the Joker...I think that's what Oscars should be all about.

Posted at 12:26AM on Jul 20th 2008 by MariaB

8. I don't think the posthumous Oscar campaign is off. It would have been even stronger if Ledger would have still been alive. His performance in the Dark Knight was the best I have seen in ANY superhero movie villain EVER! Alive or deceased, Ledger owns that Oscar spot.

Posted at 6:09AM on Jul 28th 2008 by Richard