CHRISTIAN BALE - CHRISTIAN BALE: DARK KNIGHT DID NOT KILL HEATH LEDGER

Christian Bale has rubbished reports that the demands placed on Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight contributed to the late actor's tragic death.

Ledger played The Joker in the upcoming Batman sequel and rumours emerged after his death in January that the Australian actor's immersion in the role had been excessive, leading crew members to suggest he seek counselling.

The Brokeback Mountain star died after an accidental overdose of prescription drugs and anonymous sources claimed after his sad passing that he had refused to talk to co-stars and crew out of character, preferring to remain in the guise of the comic book villain.

But according to Bale, who plays Bruce Wayne for the second time in Christopher Nolan's film, any suggestion that Ledger's mental state would have been affected by the demands of the role is incorrect.

"It's not for me to tell anybody or to pretend to have insights beyond what I absolutely know, but my instincts are that the idea Heath was disturbed by playing The Joker is ridiculous," he explained in an interview with Total Film magazine.

"Heath was somebody who, like myself, acted for that immersion in a character. It's not an unusual thing.

"And from working with him and knowing him, I don't think that was unusual for him at all."

The Dark Knight is released on July 25th.