">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Ledger's last performance hits screen in Cannes
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Asia Pacific
World
Search
Search:
Ledger's last performance hits screen in Cannes
Reuters - Saturday, May 23
By Mike Collett-White CANNES, France - Australian actor Heath Ledger's final performance before he died of an accidental overdose in January 2008 nearly never made it to the big screen, U.S.-born director Terry Gilliam said on Friday.
ADVERTISEMENT
The film maker's first thought when Ledger died in New York was to ditch "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," which was only half finished.
But encouraged by people around him to continue, and helped by actors Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell who played Ledger's character in three separate dream sequences, Gilliam eventually completed the movie.
"The choice I made was to close the film down," Gilliam told reporters at the Cannes film festival, where the out-of-competition movie has its world premiere.
"I couldn't see how we could finish it without Heath because we were in the middle of production.
"Fortunately, I was surrounded by really good people who insisted that I shouldn't be such a lazy bastard and I'd better go out and find a way of finishing the film for Heath.
"That's what we did."
Gilliam decided to use three actors rather than one to complete the role of Tony, made possible because they appear in a land of the imagination entered through a magic mirror.
"I started calling friends -- Johnny Depp, and he said 'I'm there'. And I basically was just calling people who knew and loved Heath.
"Everyone in the cast and everyone in the crew was determined that this film would be finished and everybody worked longer, harder and somehow we got through. It was really ... people's love for Heath that propelled this thing forward."
ENERGY AND AD-LIBBING
Gilliam praised Ledger, who won a posthumous Oscar for his performance as the Joker in Batman blockbuster "The Dark Knight," for his enthusiasm and energy on set.
"Heath was enjoying himself so much and he was ad libbing a lot which I don't really allow that much ... in my films. He got everybody else going. Everybody was just energized by Heath, he was extraordinary, he was almost exhausting."
Ledger plays Tony, who is found hanging from a bridge in London but is revived by Anton and Valentina, members of a horse-drawn traveling theater which has the power to allow people to walk into a world of their dreams.
Christopher Plummer stars as Doctor Parnassus, an man who has lived for centuries after making a pact with the devil, performed by Tom Waits.
The devil plans to take away his daughter Valentina when she turns 16, but gives Parnassus one last chance to save her.
The action moves from the streets of London and inside the rickety old wagon to fantastical, special effects-laden landscapes that represent people's imaginations.
"I just know that story telling and the restructuring of the world through stories is vital," Gilliam said. "What I'm talking about is using one's imagination to expand the possibilities and the view of the world people have."
Ledger's family, who Gilliam said supported him completing the film, have yet to see it.
"What was important for me was just to make a film with Heath's last performance up there alive and well, and I think they're going to be delighted by it."
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: Hollywood
Ledger's last performance hits screen in CannesReuters - Saturday, May 23
Hollywood actors approve new commercials dealReuters - Friday, May 22
'Spider-Man' director shocked at death of actress GordonAFP - Friday, May 22
Judge won't toss lawsuit over Hilton movie flopAP - Wednesday, May 20
Related Articles: Entertainment & Lifestyle
Angels & Demons in Rome: Tour book and movie sitesAP - Wednesday, May 27
The top 10 singles and albums on iTunesAP - Wednesday, May 27
Rapper T.I. to report to Ark. federal prisonAP - Wednesday, May 27
Worried book industry gathers for conventionAP - Wednesday, May 27
German court clears cannibal movieAFP - Wednesday, May 27
Enlarge Photo
Director Terry Gilliam (2nd L) poses with cast members Verne Troyer (C), Lily Cole (R) and Andrew Garfield during a photocall for his film "The imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival May 22, 2009. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
Related Full Coverage
Hollywood News
Get the latest Hollywood news
All Full Coverage
Most Popular – Entertainment
Viewed
Climate change: World's destiny at stake
G8 hears oil prices could again soar when crisis eases
Vitamin D boosts brain power in middle-aged men
Smokers duped by light cigarettes: US court
World Bank chief warns about economic crisis
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Wednesday, 27 May 2009 Israel scrambles to avoid showdown with Obama
Russian Web firm invests 200 mln dlrs in Facebook
Israel police arrest suspect in US citizen slaying
Sarkozy opens first French military base in Gulf
Fiat chief tries to clinch Opel deal in Berlin
Europe's fastest supercomputer unveiled in Germany
Iraq oil minister under fire over output
Sri Lanka offers Tigers rehabilitation or trial
| International
|
OPEC to keep current oil quotas: Saudi minister
Copenhagen hippie haven 'belongs to Danish state'
Europe's top dailies in 10 languages online
US says roadside bomb in Iraq kills 3 Americans
Pakistan court lifts election ban on former PM Sharif
WTO members tackle protectionism, urge Doha deal
| International
|
Bomb attack on U.S. convoy in Iraq kills 3
Georgians mark independence with protest rally
| International
|
Iran's Ahmadinejad rejects Western nuclear proposal
WHO puts off giving advice on pandemic vaccines
| International
|
Irish order to review abuse victim compensation
| International
|
Cyclone Aila kills nearly 200 in Bangladesh, India
| International
|
Afghan was taken to Guantanamo aged 12: rights group
| International
|
Climate change a 'game changer' in US-China relations
Court nominee urged special rights for Puerto Rico
Facebook has $200 million investment from Russian firm
| Technology
|
US, Canadian officials sign law enforcement pact
Intel to produce new, more powerful server chip
| Technology
|
Pentagon Says It Has No Plans To End "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
Sotomayor nominated to high court _ first Hispanic
Apple iTunes may hit more markets with French moves
| Technology
|
Trial starts for German posing as Rockefeller
Robert Gibbs Holds Press Conference To Discuss North Korea, Sonia Sotomayor, And Cybersecurity
Tire fire forces evacuation of East Texas town
U.S. Home Prices Drop At Record Pace In First Quarter
Text of Obama nominating a Supreme Court justice
GOP Assures "Fair Review" Of Sotomayor's Nomination As First Hispanic Supreme Court Justice
Pakistani court clears election bar on ex-PM Sharif
Miami Unveils Affordable Health Care Plan
Leo Jackson, 1st black mayor in New England, dies
California Supreme Court Rules To Uphold Prop 8
Remarks of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor
Judicial Watch Opposes Sotomayor's Appointment
Rhode Island mansion on market for $7.2 million
Hotel Industry Report Shows Plummeting Occupancy, Room Rates, Revenue
Teen Cancer Patient Who Refused Chemotherapy Back Home For Treatment
U.S. Consumer Confidence Jumps In May, Hits 8-Month High
Ledger's last performance hits screen in Cannes
Hollywood actors approve new commercials deal
"Samantha Who?" canceled by ABC
Proud non-reader Kanye West turns author
| Entertainment
|
German mothers who work full-time happiest: study
Indonesia asks disabled pedestrians to wear signs
The top 10 singles and albums on iTunes
Rapper T.I. to report to Ark. federal prison
Film on German cannibal may be shown: court
| Entertainment
|
Luxury hotel auction nets 3 mln euros in Morocco
Copenhagen hippie haven 'belongs to Danish state'
Rose wine makers oppose EU mixing plans
German court clears cannibal movie
Game news: `Wii-Fit' leads to boom in `exergaming'
Israeli parliament marks Yiddish Culture Day
Medvedev scolds officials for gloomy forecasts
North Korea threatens attack if ships checked
| International
|
'Sexting' no worse than spin-the-bottle: study
Canada's governor guts, eats raw seal
American intruder in dock at Suu Kyi trial
| International
|
New York Times names 'social media' editor
Chrysler faces D-Day as GM nears bankruptcy
Bomb attack on U.S. convoy in Iraq kills 3
Bomb in Pakistan's Lahore causes casualties
| International
|
Twitter in TV deal
Chrysler gets 757 mln dlrs more from US Treasury
Fiat makes last bid to clinch Opel takeover
Mexico arrests mayors, police chiefs in drug war
| International
|
Spain rearranges furniture as economy sinks
| International
|
Sudan tribesmen attack security force, scores killed
| International
|
Earthquake rattles Taiwan, no reports of damage
| International
|
California upholds gay marriage ban
Facebook has $200 million investment from Russian firm
| Technology
|
Microsoft to launch new Zune later this year
| Technology
|
2 more deaths in NYC are linked to swine flu
IBM earmarks $3 billion for Europe and Asia stimulus
| Technology
|
NY man convicted for running 'zoo from hell'
UAW trust to get 17.5 percent of GM shares
Minn. cancer patient back home, faces court date
OJ Simpson appeals Vegas armed robbery conviction
1 of 4 killed in fiery NY wreck was pregnant
State-run KNOC raise $270 mln in floating rate notes
Taiwan dollar up before break on funds, exporters
S.Korea Vogo Fund to buy card firm's stake -source
S.Korea govt bonds fall; eyes on data
Las Vegas Sands ready to restart Macau projects
Korea Hot Stocks
Seoul shares rise helped by U.S. data;N.Korea eyed
S.Korea banks loan delinquency up; seen stabilising
San Francisco supporters vow to fight gay marriage ban
Conan ready for Tonight Show
| Entertainment
|
Broadway posts record takings despite recession
| Entertainment
|
Country queen Taylor Swift charms L.A. crowd
Elizabeth Taylor released from L.A. hospital
| Entertainment
|
O.J. Simpson appeals robbery, kidnapping conviction
| Entertainment
|
Judas Priest digs deep for "Evil" live album
Suicide pact? Al Pacino eyes Kevorkian biopic
Suicide pact? Al Pacino eyes Kevorkian biopic
| Entertainment
|
Country queen Taylor Swift charms L.A. crowd
| Entertainment
|
Elizabeth Taylor released from L.A. hospital
Canadian writer Alice Munro wins International Booker Prize
Judas Priest digs deep for Evil live album
| Entertainment
|
Broadway posts record takings despite recession
John Fogerty revisits Blue Ridge Rangers
| Entertainment
|
Canadian short story writer Munro wins UK award
Melissa Etheridge in limbo after gay marriage ruling
Melissa Etheridge in limbo after gay marriage ruling
| Entertainment
|
O.J. Simpson appeals robbery conviction
Israeli PM puts off Paris, Rome visits
Italian police arrest 64 Mafia suspects
Bomb in Pakistan's Lahore kills 24
| International
|
Iran lifts block on Facebook access
Bolivia denies supplying Iran with uranium
U.S., Israel square off over settlement expansion
| International
|
NZealand zookeeper killed by white tiger: police
Roadside blast kills 3 Americans in western Iraq
Millions displaced by cyclone in India, Bangladesh
| International
|
SMS, internet campaigns prove controversial in Iran election
| International
|
Sri Lanka urged at U.N. to ensure aid reaches Tamils
| International
|
Mutiny probe criticizes Bangladesh intelligence agencies
| International
|
Irish orders yielding to abuse reparation demands
| International
|
EU to tighten financial supervision to fight crisis
| International
|
Abbas in US to press for Israeli settlement freeze
Suicide car bomb hits Lahore, 23 dead
North Korea threatens to attack South
Intel sees netbook cannibalization at about 20 percent
| Technology
|
Obama picks first Hispanic Supreme Court justice
NKorea warns of possible military strike
Three bodies pulled from PNG landslide
Australia defends swine flu cruise ship handling
NKorea warns of attack, says truce no longer valid
Samsung renews chip license with SanDisk
| Technology
|
World's ills trigger record Red Cross outlay
California high court upholds gay marriage ban
Accenture to shift incorporation to Ireland
| Technology
|
Myanmar boosts security for election anniversary
Stocks jump after consumer confidence level surges
In Asia, diabetes more likely to strike the young
North Korea tests more missiles, lashes out at US
Japan's DoCoMo eyes cash transfer by cellphone
India's Bharti, SAfrica's MTN mull merger
Japan posts trade surplus as export slump eases
Seoul shares close lower on geopolitical risks
NZ dollar near 7-month high as budget awaited; bonds fall
Roubini says bottom of U.S. recession not here yet
OPEC to keep oil flowing to help fragile recovery
Endangered turtles safe on Indonesian islands
Slumdog makers buy flat for homeless child star
| Entertainment
|
RNC Chairman Steele Blasts Obama As "Leftist Radical" Bent On Building "Socialist Utopia"
Senior State Dept. Official Among Dead In Iraq Roadside Bomb
Three Dead In Colorado In Suspected Murder-Suicide
Wall Street Braces For GM Bankruptcy
Citing Bloomberg's War Chest, Rep. Anthony Weiner Drops Out Of Mayoral Race
Obama Stumps For Harry Reid In Las Vegas
Worldwide Deaths From H1N1 Flu Virus At 100; Singapore Reports First Case
Obama Demands Unconditional Release Of Suu Kyi; Blasts "Show Trial"
Study Finds Fewer Americans Following Healthy Lifestyle
Former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik Indicted For Lying To White House
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights