It only takes one viewing of The Dark Knight, the new record-breaking Batman film, to set aside the hype surrounding Heath Ledger's performance. As the arch-villian Joker, Ledger delivers a nuanced, devilish interpretation, overshadowing the special effects and Imax excess to become the white-hot center of this summer's biggest blockbuster.
Talk has now turned to the possibility of a posthumous Oscar for Ledger, who died in January 2008 of an accidental drug overdose. Venerable actor Michael Caine, who plays Batman's butler Alfred in the film, suggested that Ledger at least deserves a nomination. Others, like director Terry Gilliam, who was working on a film with Ledger at the time of his death, have decried the Oscar talk as a disgraceful attempt by the studios to drum up more business.
If Ledger were to receive a nomination -- and it's unclear if the Joker qualifies as a leading or supporting character -- he would be in good company. Leading men Spencer Tracy and James Dean both got the nod after saying the long goodbye; in fact most of Dean's career as an icon occurred after his death. Neither of these actors went on to win. The last posthumous Oscar was given to Peter Finch in 1977 for his role in the movie Network.
Following a deluge of bets, online gambling sites have put Ledger's odds of winning an Oscar around 3-1, way down from the 12-1 line they were giving before the blockbuster opening weekend. "At this point, it's a lock," said author and film critic David Meyer.
Others are less certain. "It really surprises me, all this early talk," says Christopher Costigan, publisher of Gambling 911, a news site that tracks online betting. "Usually we don't hear Oscar odds until January."
Costigan feels the early hype could wear thin by the time red carpet season rolls around, especially with a glut of Oscar bait films slated for the final months of the year. "This might be a good time to bet No."
Ledger has been nominated once before, as best actor, for his role in the cowboy romance Brokeback Mountain, but lost to Philip Seymour-Hoffman. It now seems almost certain that, Oscar or not, Ledger will be best remembered for his role as the Joker. The part displayed Ledger's tremendous talent, but it also captured a feeling of chaos, a irresistible epitaph for a young talent whose own life was sliding out of control.
Talk has now turned to the possibility of a posthumous Oscar for Ledger, who died in January 2008 of an accidental drug overdose. Venerable actor Michael Caine, who plays Batman's butler Alfred in the film, suggested that Ledger at least deserves a nomination. Others, like director Terry Gilliam, who was working on a film with Ledger at the time of his death, have decried the Oscar talk as a disgraceful attempt by the studios to drum up more business.
If Ledger were to receive a nomination -- and it's unclear if the Joker qualifies as a leading or supporting character -- he would be in good company. Leading men Spencer Tracy and James Dean both got the nod after saying the long goodbye; in fact most of Dean's career as an icon occurred after his death. Neither of these actors went on to win. The last posthumous Oscar was given to Peter Finch in 1977 for his role in the movie Network.
Following a deluge of bets, online gambling sites have put Ledger's odds of winning an Oscar around 3-1, way down from the 12-1 line they were giving before the blockbuster opening weekend. "At this point, it's a lock," said author and film critic David Meyer.
Others are less certain. "It really surprises me, all this early talk," says Christopher Costigan, publisher of Gambling 911, a news site that tracks online betting. "Usually we don't hear Oscar odds until January."
Costigan feels the early hype could wear thin by the time red carpet season rolls around, especially with a glut of Oscar bait films slated for the final months of the year. "This might be a good time to bet No."
Ledger has been nominated once before, as best actor, for his role in the cowboy romance Brokeback Mountain, but lost to Philip Seymour-Hoffman. It now seems almost certain that, Oscar or not, Ledger will be best remembered for his role as the Joker. The part displayed Ledger's tremendous talent, but it also captured a feeling of chaos, a irresistible epitaph for a young talent whose own life was sliding out of control.
