Heath Ledger's Death Increasing Audience Anticipation for "The Dark Knight"

Like the paintings of a deceased artist, the viewing public takes an almost morbid interest in the work of an actor or actress after their death. If the performer has a film scheduled for release after they pass away, interest in that particular property could start to skyrocket.

That's what currently is happening with "The Dark Knight," the sequel to the 2005 box-office hit "Batman Begins." Unlike Jack Nicholson's over-the-top portrayal of the Joker in the 1989 "Batman" film, the late Heath Ledger's performance as the legendary comic book villain promises to be more in touch with the truly twisted and psychotic aspects of the character.

On March 27, David Germain of the Associated Press reported that due to Ledger's untimely death, the public's interest in the "The Dark Knight" is on the rise. Bill Ramey, founder of the fan Web site Batman-on-Film.com, is quoted in Germain's article as saying "No doubt some people may be apprehensive about seeing it because there may be a little ghoulish factor about it. But I'm betting that more people now kind of look at it as a tribute to him, and the biggest tribute you could give someone is to go see it and enjoy his performance."

It's safe to say that this sequel will become one of the biggest hits of the summer, if not the top movie of the year, but in the past, the death of a high-profile star didn't always translate into bigger box-office returns:

Vic Morrow (Died on the set of "Twilight Zone: The Movie" - July 23, 1982)

Father of actress Jennifer Jason Leigh, character actor Vic Morrow died along with two Vietnamese children during a helicopter stunt for a segment of "Twilight Zone: The Movie" directed by John Landis. Morrow's death put the film in the spotlight and director John Landis was charged and later acquitted of involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of Morrow and the children.

Morrow's death did attract some curiosity seekers to the theater in the summer of 1983, but director John Landis had greater box office success with "Trading Places," the Eddie Murphy/Dan Aykroyd comedy that also was released that summer.

Sources: IMDB.com, "Vic Morrow"
Hollywood.com, "John Landis"