Heath Ledger's final performance in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

oscar_merkx · 03-10-2008, 06:28 PM

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | 'Delight' over final Ledger film

Quote:

Director Terry Gilliam has said he is "delighted" Heath Ledger's final film, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, will be released.

Filming was suspended when the star was found dead in January.
Jude Law, Johnny Depp and Colin Farrell will now appear as Ledger's character, but scenes he had previously filmed will be included in the movie.

Gilliam said he was hoping "to touch people's hearts and souls as Heath was able to do" through the film.

'Blessing and support'

"I am grateful to Johnny, Colin and Jude for coming on board and to everyone else who has made it possible for us to finish the film," said Gilliam.

"I am delighted that Heath's brilliant performance can be shared with the world."

He added filming on the British-Canadian production had resumed in Vancouver "with the blessing and support of Heath Ledger's family".
It had been suggested that Ledger's role would be completed using CGI (computer generated imagery) special effects, which is what happened when Oliver Reed died during the making of Gladiator.

The film's producers said other allowances had been made.

"Since the format of the story allows for the preservation of his entire performance, at no point will Heath's work be modified or altered through the use of digital technology," they said.
"Each of the parts played by Johnny, Colin and Jude is representative of the many aspects of the character that Heath was playing."

Ledger died from an accidental overdose of six different types of prescription drugs in his New York apartment.

At the time, the film's makers described Ledger as "a great actor, a great friend and a great spirit" and said Gilliam and his producers would be "assessing how best to proceed".
It is thought the movie will be released early next year.

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JohnRice · 03-10-2008, 09:47 PM

Novel way to complete the character.

Radioman970 · 03-11-2008, 07:08 AM

This makes me very happy. I hope Gilliam can make it work. Although I'll be giving that Batman flick a pass (ain't my thing), I'll be seeing this in the cinema. Very cool.

MatthewLouwrens · 03-15-2008, 04:56 PM

I was very happy to hear this news. Gilliam is a brilliant director who always seems to struggle to get his films made, and I know that it was Heath Ledger's role in the film that was "the name" that got funding for the film, so I was afraid that the film would end with Ledger's death. Fortunately, Gilliam has evidently managed to make the film work, and upped the star power in the process, so we will get to see another Gilliam film, and see Ledger's final work.

Scott McGillivray · 03-15-2008, 09:50 PM

Great news around here (Vancouver) where it is shooting. I have a very small role in this film. It was so sad when Heath died. I had wardrobe the day before and talked to the 3rd AD the very morning he died before we knew. It was so surreal. I just picked up the script yesterday, so I will have to give it a read. It is a really thick script!

Scott McGillivray · 04-14-2008, 01:55 AM

Well, I just got back from the wrap party. Sad that none of the big names showed up. However, they did show a bunch of the footage from what they shot in London. It looks really good (considering that it was just thrown together and most of the audio was not in it).

There was a nice applause when Heath Ledger first appeared on screen.

The scene I shot last week had Jude Law in it. It is one bizarre scene! I think this will be Terry's visually strangest movie yet! I dont want to give any spoilers, but I think this will be a very fun/interesting movie to see when it comes out.

Radioman970 · 04-14-2008, 06:29 AM

Congrads for getting a part in a Terry Gilliam film. That's beyond awesome, no matter how small the part is. I'll have no choice but to look for you in this thing.

oscar_merkx · 04-14-2008, 07:23 AM

Wow Scott I am envious.

Thanks for sharing your story with us

DavidPla · 07-08-2008, 03:42 PM

Does anyone know how much footage was completed WITH Heath Ledger? Was all the footage in the "reality" sequences with his character finished?

Scott McGillivray · 07-09-2008, 01:17 PM

From what I know, all the "reality" stuff was done. They wrapped it up in England and then came over here to Vancouver for the "fantasy" portion. That was when Heath stopped over in New York to take it easy for a while. Sadly, we know the rest of that story.

At the wrap party, they showed quite a bit of footage featuring Heath that had been shot in England. Even in the raw format, it sure had a terrific look about it. Chris Plummer also really looked/acted great as Dr. P. Vern Troyer even had a good role as more of a dramatic character rather than just a sight gag as in Austin Powers movies.

DavidPla · 07-09-2008, 07:33 PM

Thanks Scott for the info! Glad to hear the "reality" sequences were finished as at least we'll get to see Ledger open and finish the film.

Radioman970 · 07-10-2008, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radioman970

This makes me very happy. I hope Gilliam can make it work. Although I'll be giving that Batman flick a pass (ain't my thing), I'll be seeing this in the cinema. Very cool.

Noooot! Heh heh! The hype has gotten me. I'll be seeing that thing.

Anyway, glad to hear that too. Sounds like it was some kind of luck they got what they really needed for the film before that unfortunate turn of events with Ledger. Very cool! I just hope to heck my town gets that Gilliam film. I missed Tideland (still need to see it) because it didn't come here. Sure, Brothers Grimm did.