Heath Ledger Replaced By Three Stars On Last Film

The news first broke Friday on insider-y webiste aintitcoolnews.com and today Variety reported on their scoop. Heath Ledger's role in Terry Gilliam's "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," which was partially filmed at the time of his death, has been recast.

Despite the tragic death of pic's star Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell have all signed on to play Ledger's character, 'Tony,' in the film.

"Parnassus," which is being produced by William Vince ("Capote"), Amy Gilliam and Samuel Hadida's banner, was shooting in London when Ledger died from an accidental overdose January 22nd.

Ledger's character is transported into three separate dimensions in the fantasy pic; these new worlds, which Ledger accesses via a paranormal mirror, will now be inhabitated by Depp, Law, and Farrell.

No word yet when the film will be released.

Comments

[itwaslost]

Terry Gilliam has horrible luck getting his films to the big screen (see the "Battle over Brazil", & "Lost in La Mancha"), & sometimes his greatest are neglected or misunderestimated once they're there.

This is a fascinating latest development in his saga, & I'm glad Ledger's friends & the media are pulling behind one of the world's rarest directors.

[degjack]

I wonder if these gents took on the roles in homage to Heath in some way??

[webweaver]

You know, we all are going to die... and being surprised at death is irrational... but...

Some people die in ways that seem to flow from the lives they live, like Steve Fossett or Steve Irwin. So, you can say they died the way they lived. And it's okay..... not for their family or their friends, but for their legacy, for lack of a better word.

But then there are deaths like Heath Ledger. No reason, no warning, nothing to do but sit back puzzled and pained.

I wish I could tell Michelle Williams that she is a woman of grace. And to wish her luck with her beautiful daughter. How hard this must be for them.

[grisgris]

I thought what you wrote was rather poignant. I agree with what you said about Fossett and Irwin. I LOVED Ledger. I was sure he would develop into one of the great actors of his time. I loved "Brokeback" but I especially loved "Casanova" (he was so sexy and so funny!). But, you said there was "(n)o reason, no warning" and I have to say that, based on what I've read, this really wasn't the case. From what I've read, Williams split up with Ledger because of his drug use. And, let's face it, he had a lot of drugs in his system when he died. It is a shame that he died but, I believe there was a reason and some warning.

[TishTheFish]

Pretty men all. Good luck Terry - it's nice that Heath's last performance will make it to the screen.

[GoodwithWood]

"Cool"