Fate of Ledger's Last Films Uncertain

Since Heath Ledger's death Tuesday afternoon, Warners' marketing executives have been scrambling to rejigger their marketing scheme for Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins sequel, The Dark Knight. Principle photography wrapped in the fall but their posters and trailers have highlighted Mr. Ledger's ghoulish Joker character.

Production on Terry Gilliam's indie The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus has also temporarily shut down. According to Variety, Mr. Gilliam has three options: "Replace Ledger in the role, shoot around him or shut down the production entirely. The insurance company will likely determine which option the producers take."

Mr. Ledger's death also cancels what would have been his feature directing debut, an adaptation of the Walter Tevis novel The Queen's Gambit. The leading role of a young female chess prodigy had been offered to Oscar nominee Ellen Page (Juno). Mr. Ledger, a skilled chess player, was due to play a supporting role.