No Joker For Christopher Nolan

No Joker For Christopher Nolan

Heath Ledger's role in the 'Batman' franchise will not be replaced.

The Australian star passed away from an accidental drugs overdose in January 2008, shortly after completing filming as The Joker on 'The Dark Knight' but director Christopher Nolan insists he won't be getting another actor in to take over the character, which won the Australian star a posthumous Best Supporting Actor Academy Award.

Christopher said: "For me, Heath was the definitive Joker. It wouldn't feel appropriate to readdress that character."

The third of Christopher's Batman movies - starring Christian Bale as the titular vigilante superhero - is scheduled for release in June 2012.

Sir Michael Caine recently revealed 'Batman 3' will begin production next year but admitted he is unsure about anything else to do with the film.

The veteran actor - who plays Bruce Wayne's butler Alfred Pennyworth in the film series - said: "I think they're going to do it in April, that's about as much as I know."

It has widely been speculated that The Riddler and The Penguin will be the featured villains in the next movie, with Johnny Depp and Philip Seymour Hoffman among stars linked to the roles.