Batman Pic Salutes Ledger in Credits

Heath Ledger is getting a tribute from his collaborators on The Dark Knight. The end credits of the Batman Begins sequel include a farewell note to Ledger, who died in January from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs. Ledger plays the Joker in the movie, which opens July 18. “Heath created something entirely original,” said the director. “It's going to blow people away.”

"I needed a phenomenal actor, but he also had to be someone unafraid of taking on such an iconic role," said Christopher Nolan. The credits also salute a special-effects technician killed in a stunt-car accident in September. "In memory of our friends Heath Ledger & Conway Wickliffe," reads the tribute. (More Heath Ledger stories.)