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Heath Ledger planned to play the Joker in another Batman movie

February 1, 2018

[Photos by: Howie Berlin/Wikimedia Commons, Warner Bros.]

Late actor Heath Ledger reportedly had plans to reprise his role as infamous Batman villain the Joker from 2008's The Dark Knight, according to an interview with the movie star's sister, Kate Ledger—see what she had to say below.

Heath Ledger's iconic Joker portrayal in director Chris Nolan's second Batman installment received widespread praise following the actor's tragic death in 2008, and the role earned him a posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, which was accepted by Kate Ledger and the performer's parents at the 81st Academy Awards. Last year, while promoting the documentary I Am Heath Ledger, Kate revealed that her brother had planned to do another Batman film.

The news comes from an interview with Australian site news.com.au, first published in 2017. As noted by Slash Film, one particular quote from the piece happens to be making the rounds now, wherein Kate points out that Heath had always intended to bring his Joker back in The Dark Knight Rises.

“He was so proud of what he had done in Batman,” she said. “And I know he had plans for another Batman. He loved working with Chris Nolan and Christian Bale and Gary Oldman. He just had the best time ever doing that film. When he came home at Christmas he couldn't wait to tell us all about it and he was doing the voice and laughing, showing me all the rushes. We had a great time.”

Of course, once The Dark Knight Rises came around in 2012, Tom Hardy's Bane had assumed the role of on-screen Batman antagonist. And due to Heath Leger's unexpected death in January 2008—six months before The Dark Knight was released in theaters—it's almost impossible to guess what Ledger's follow-up Joker portrayal would've looked like.

As this month marks the ten-year anniversary of Ledger's death, maybe Batman fans are remembering the actor's Dark Knight role with a wistful perspective. Watch Ledger's Joker in The Dark Knight trailer right here: