Heath Ledger had been working on the fantasy film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus in London until January 19, when he returned to NYC. The set was in the process of moving to Canada, where Heath was set to pick up filming again in Vancouver next month. His turn as The Joker in The Dark Knight, which already completed filming, had fans anticipating its July 2008 release.

In a statement issued by Warner Bros., which is producing The Dark Night, Alan Horn, president and chief operating officer of Warner Bros., and Jeff Robinov, president of Warner Bros. Pictures Group, said: "The studio is stunned and devastated by this tragic news. The entertainment community has lost an enormous talent. Heath was a brilliant actor and an exceptional person. Our hearts go out to his family and friends.”