The Late Heath Ledger Will Live On in Dark Knight

The magic of movies is an incredible force. It can make us angry, sad and even bring friends and family closer together. But there are few cases when a movie literally has the power to breathe life back into a human being. Perhaps not literally, but this summer's Dark Knight will come close as the American public will have the opportunity to see the late Heath Ledger one last time.

Not since Chris Farley and Andy Kaufman have I been as devastated as I was when I learned of Mr. Ledger's unfortunate, not to mention untimely, death. It left our entire nation in shock within hours of the discovery of his body. But let us not grieve in this horrible tragedy and look back at what he's done. Instead, let's look into the future, and wait with anticipation for the The Dark Knight. Later this year, director Christopher Nolan (Memento, The Prestige) will literally bring the ill-fated actor back to life on the big screen as the Joker.

For those of you in the "dark" about The Dark Knight, it's a the sequel to the 2005 box office smash Batman Begins, also directed by Christopher Nolan. In the film, we learn the origins of Batman. From traumatic childhood experiences to establishing himself as the force to be reckoned with in Gotham City as he defeats the infamous Scarecrow.

In this new follow up, the remaining crime bosses within the city are attempting to pick up the pieces after Carmine Falcone is dead. But, someone keeps picking these people off.

When I first found out that Heath Ledger was to be playing the Joker, I laughed in skepticism at the idea. Like most people, I immediately compared him to the great Jack Nicholson and swore that no one could fill those shoes.

However, the second Themovieblog.com streamed the first ten minutes of the "The Dark Knight," and countless trailers were released on Youtube and IMDb, my attitude changed within seconds. Ledger looks brilliant in the revamped interpretation as the joke cracking, make-up wearing, maniacal and criminally insane genius that is the Joker.

So come this summer, when all the big Hollywood blockbusters are thrown at the general public like candy on Halloween, a large shadow will be cast upon the plethora of theatrical releases that are brought along with the longer days and hot temperatures. The old saying that "there's no such thing as bad publicity" will show it's ugly truth. Warner Bros will absolutely dominate the box office while millions upon millions of movie goers will flock to their local theater, not only to see a great movie, but to get the chance to see Heath Ledger at his best.