How did Heath Ledgers death affect the film?
Heath Ledger, who died Jan 22, 2008, had finished filming his role of the Joker in the The Dark Knight. His death had little, if any, effect on the finished film. Warner Bros. restructured its marketing campaign to focus more on Batman. Up until Ledger’s death, it had concentrated on the Joker. But the Joker didn’t disappear from the campaign. Trailers for the movie still included him. And posters for the film still had his signature line, “Why so serious?” Ledger’s death did not affect the U.S. release date, which was July 18., 2008. No announcement has been made on whether the character will appear in the sequel. By the end of Dark Knight, the Joker is arrested. The film is dedicated to Heath Ledger. The dedication appears at the end of the film.
