The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus trailer has finally been released.  The fantasy movie, better known as Heath Ledger’s last movie, is scheduled an October 16 release.  Because Ledger died during the first third of filming, Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell were cast to portray Heath’s character as it morphs during travel through a dream world.  

Obviously, it will rake in millions due to the amazing cast and Heath curiousity.  Does the trailer pique your interest?

A new video was released this week for a song called “King Rat” by indie rock band Modest Mouse.  It probably wouldn’t get as much attention under normal circumstances, but it was directed by the late Heath Ledger and is believe to be his last piece of work.

The video is done in animation and shows whales fishing for humans.  Kind of deep, I guess.  I don’t know — it’s too early for me to absorb all this social message.

The film will screen at the end of the Cannes Film Festival, but this clip of Heath was part of Cannes’ opening-night montage.

Oh, man, this almost makes my cold, evil heart break a little bit.

Heath Ledger’s father, Kim Ledger, has flown from Perth, Australia to Los Angeles to attend the Oscars on Sunday, where Heath is by far the favorite to win Best Supporting Actor. Kim says that, if Heath does win the award, his family will be on stage to accept it. OMG this is totally going to happen and I will have to fast-forward through it. I will just cry WAY too hard if I have to actually watch it. Honestly I don’t think I’ll be able to handle the poignancy. I don’t like things that make me cry!!!

But Kim Ledger won’t be hanging on to the award that Heath is totally going to win. On Wednesay, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that if Ledger does win a posthumous Oscar, little Matilda, who is currently 3 years old, would receive the Oscar after she turns 18.

Heath Ledger’s Life Insurance company was able to reach an agreement with his estate and finally agreed to pay out his life insurance policy. Heath’s last documents were drawn up prior to his relationship with Michelle Williams, and so they made no provision for her, or the couple’s young daughter, Matilda. Heaths family pledged to take care of Michelle and the child, and the company’s initial refusal to pay out prompted several of the late actor’s friends to start a trust for the little girl.  

 

Since the 28-year-old actor died Jan. 22, 2008, Minnesota-based ReliaStar Life Insurance Co. had been balking (it’s an insurance company after all) on making good to Ledger’s sole heir, his 2-year-old daughter with Michelle Williams, Matilda Rose.

Even though the coroner labeled Ledger’s death an accidental prescription-drug overdose, the insurer  suggested Ledger committed suicide, voiding the massive payout.

But on Wednesday, one of the estate’s attorneys, William M. Shernoff, informed Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Luis A. Lavin that the two sides had hashed out an agreement. Eonline

 

 

I’m glad they were able to come to an agreement. Michelle and Matilda were obviously huge parts of Heath’s life before he passed, and I think he would have wanted them to be the beneficiaries.

Heath Ledger was awarded the Best Actor honor for his role in The Dark Knight at the Australian Film Institute’s awards on Saturday.

Guests at a packed awards ceremony in Melbourne’s Princess Theatre rose to their feet clapping, but with some in tears, to pay tribute.

“It has been without a doubt the most difficult year, losing such a loved family member,” said his sister Kate, fighting back tears. “We are so proud of him and humbly accept this award on behalf of his beautiful daughter [Matilda], whom we will cherish forever.”

Of course, Heath Ledger’s one of Australia’s sons, so he has a bit of an advantage here, but this could help Heath’s chances at the Best Actor Oscar?

For whatever reason, the DEA has ended its investigation into the death of Heath Ledger, so Mary-Kate will not have to testify before a grand jury. We’ll also probably never know how he got the OxyContin that contributed to his death, other than “illegally.”

Sigh.

Don’t take that kind of shit unless it’s prescribed by a doctor, kids … a doctor that you didn’t pay off! It’s very very dangerous!!!