Warner Brothers has finally released the first official picture of Heath Ledger in makeup, dressed as Batman's arch-villain, The Joker.
The Dark Knight, a sequel to Batman Begins, will reunite director Christopher Nolan and Batman star Christian Bale, and is said to be based on Frank Miller's novel, The Dark Knight Returns. The first film ended on Batman stumbling upon The Joker's calling card, setting up the sequel.
Ledger, best known for his stellar work in Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain, has some big boots to fill. Jack Nicholson's portrayal of The Joker in Tim Burton's Batman continues to be widely regarded as the best acting job in any comic-book film.
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The Dark Knight returns to the screen in July 2008.