Dark Knight Tributes Ledger & Wickliffe

The end credits for the next Batman film, “The Dark Knight” will pay a farewell tribute to Joker actor Heath Ledger. The actor died in January from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs. Also getting special recognition will be Conway Wickliffe, special effects guru who was killed doing a stunt for a car accident scene last September.

The tribute will read, “In memory of our friends Heath Ledger & Conway Wickliffe.”

Critics who have seen a pre-screening of the film say that Ledger’s performance is masterful as The Joker and it will be very difficult visualizing anyone else ever playing the part as convincingly.

“I needed a phenomenal actor, but he also had to be someone unafraid of taking on such an iconic role,” stated director Christopher Nolan of Ledger. “Heath created something entirely original. It’s stunning, it’s captivating. … It’s going to blow people away.”

“The Dark Knight,” starring Christian Bale reprising his role as the caped crusader, Ledger, Morgan Freeman (Lucius Fox), Michael Caine (Alfred Pennyworth), Gary Oldman (Lt. James Gordon), Maggie Gyllenhaal takes over the role of Rachel Dawes and Aaron Eckhart is D.A. Harvey Dent who becomes the notorious Two Face. Guest stars include Eric Roberts (”Heroes”), Anthony Michael Hall (”Dead Zone”) and Cillian Murphy returns as Dr. Jonathan Crane - a.k.a. The Scarecrow from “Batman Begins.”

“The Dark Knight comes to theaters across the globe on July 18.