Ledger's Knight Costars Call for Posthumous Oscar

• Jul 29, 2008 12:10 AM ET
• by movienews

As The Dark Knight continues to shatter box-office records, the movie's stars are uniting to praise the work of late cast mate Heath Ledger as The Joker.

"It's satisfying to see people celebrating the incredible talent of Heath," Christian Bale said at the movie's Tokyo premiere. "I just want him to be recognized."

Bale attributed much of Dark Knight's success as a film to his friend Ledger's work, according to an article in People.

Last week, Dark Knight's Maggie Gyllenhaal, whose assistant district attorney Rachel Dawes shared a riveting scene with Ledger's Joker in the film, suggested that he be honored with a posthumous Oscar. "In a way I feel funny thinking about the Oscars when he isn't alive," she told reporters at the movie's London premiere, "but at the same time I'm a member of the Academy and I would vote for him." She added, "It was inspiring working with him."

And earlier this month Michael Caine, who plays butler Alfred Pennyworth, put it most bluntly: "Heath will surely get a posthumous nomination for an Academy Award." - Nina Hämmerling Smith

What do you think? Should Ledger be nominated - or even awarded - a posthumous Oscar for his work as The Joker?