Ledger May Receive Oscar Nomination for Batman Role

Film critics say Heath Ledger's final performance as The Joker in the upcoming Batman movie, The Dark Knight, is no laughing matter. Though the Oscars won't happen for another eight months, critics predict a nomination for the deceased star of Brokeback Mountain, Chattahbox reported today.

Heath Ledger died in his New York apartment in January of this year at age 28 from an accidental prescription drug overdose. Playing Batman's archenemy, Ledger delivers a haunting, deranged performance. The Joker was Ledger's last major role.

The first movie in the new series, Batman Begins, was a box office smash that was later nominated for a Best Achievement in Cinematography Oscar in 2005. The Dark Knight, starring Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne and his alter ego, Batman, is scheduled to hit theaters July 18 in North America.