Heath Ledger’s final movie performance to debut at Cannes in May

With his posthumous award wins for Best Supporting Actor it’s almost too easy to view “The Dark Knight” as Heath Ledger’s last film, despite the fact he was half-way through another when he passed away on January 22, 2008 of an accidental drug overdose. Heath Ledger’s final movie performance in “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus’ will debut at The Cannes Film Festival on May 22. The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” was half completed when the actor passed away, leaving a significant amount of material left un-shot. Director Terry Gilliam hatched a plan to save the movie and allow audiences to see Ledger’s actual last work in front of the camera. Enter Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell who all knew Heath Ledger well. Gilliam decided that the three actors would each play one respective aspect of Ledger’s original character. The trio immediately flew out to the set and shot their respective scenes separately so the movie could be completed. They also donated their paychecks for the movie to Ledger’s young daughter, Matilda.

“The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus” tells the story of a traveling show where members of the audience get an irresistible opportunity to choose between light and joy or darkness and gloom.  

Currently, the movie does not have a U.S. release date, although several companies have expressed an interest in buying the rights to the film because so many people will want to see his final performance. Meanwhile, fans of Ledger may get to see a music video he directed for the band Modest Mouse before he died. The video for the song “King Rat” is slated to be released sometime in the near future.  Modest Mouse’s Australian singer Issak Brock struck up a relationship with Ledger after their families took a boating trip together in their home country.

Ledger received a posthumous Oscar for his role as the Joker in The Dark Knight.

Given the economy, it’s not surprising that this year’s Cannes Film Festival will be scaled back compared to previous years. The festival, which runs May 13 to 24, is an star-studded affair filled with glamorous parties and mega yachts.