Will we see Heath Ledger’s death in the marketing of The Dark Knight?

 On January 22, a talented young actor’s death shocked people. Heath Ledger, from his debut in 10 Things I hate about you, has been a young, eager actor who wants to go deeper in his career. After the famous Broke-back Mountain, he didn’t stop exploring new roles. He was a medieval knight in A Knight’s Tale (2001) then he was a drug addict in Candy (2006). He could be one of those cute Hollywood actors and easily gain fame, but he chose to be a real actor. Hollywood lost a passionate and talented growing young actor for that.

Now people start to pay attention to The Dark Knight, Ledger’s last film. In the movie, Ledger plays a joker, psychopathic, mass murdering clown. It is an irony that we can see his latest appearance with a thick make-up almost like a mask. Since it’s going to be his latest movie, whether the studio has any plan to include Ledger’s death into the marketing is questionable. According to Entertainment Weekly, Warner Bros. has not yet announced any intention to alter its plans for the film, which is in postproduction.

 In April 1st, 2003, a famous honking actor, Leslie Cheung killed himself. Three months later, his last movie, Inner Senses was released in Korea. It was a mediocre horror film, however, with the fact that Cheung played a character suffering from psychological problems; his suicide took a big part in the marketing. The trailer of the movie included him jumping out from the window from the movie to remind people of his suicide. The movie made a pretty big hit. Cheung’s death probable took a part in a hit; however, the marketing will be always remembered as an unpleasant memory for his fans.

It is sure that people will pay attention to the Ledger’s final performance of the movie. However, whether this is going to impact on the box office is questionable. Studio might apply the joker’s mask to Ledger’s dark side of a famous actor for the movie’s promotion. However, I suggest the marketing exclude his death for the promotion to remember the talented young man as an actor. People who know Ledger will come to see his last performance. So don’t offend them but let them appreciate the movie, which will be remembered by Ledger’s final work anyway.  

Ledger’s take on the Joker in The Dark Knight