We reported on Heath Ledger‘s death last month and the status of the projects he was working on, but we haven’t really said much more since. It seems like every day there’s been a rumor either about how the young actor died or about what was going to be done about The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, the Terry Gilliam fantasy-adventure that Ledger was in the process of filming.
Now, it appears that official news has finally surfaced that’s definitely worth mentioning — Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell will all supplement Ledger’s role in the fantasy film, the nature of which allows this solution to save Doctor Parnassus from a rumored permanent shut down.
Production on The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus was temporarily shut down following Ledger’s death. Ledger’s involvement in the movie had played a major role in raising the $30 million financing for the indie flick, so it seemed like the film might shut down for good. Immediately, rumors and speculation surfaced about what could be done to save the film, which also stars Christopher Plummer, Lily Cole, Tom Waits, Andrew Garfield, and Verne Troyer. A coming soon page that went live for the film this month signaled the project’s resurrection.
Doctor Parnassus revolves around an ancient traveling show that arrives in modern-day London with a magic mirror that can transport its audience into fantastical realms of the imagination. Plummer plays the 1,000-year-old Dr. Parnassus, and Ledger is a mysterious outsider who joins the troupe on a quest through parallel worlds to save the doctor’s daughter (Cole) from the clutches of the Devil (Waits).
Because of the fantastical nature of the film, the general consensus was that another actor would be used for scenes when Ledger steps through the magic mirror. Now, AICN not only reported that not one, but three actors would step in for Ledger, but they’ve also verified that Depp, Law, and Farrell would do the honors. According to Variety (which cites AICN as the casting source), when Ledger’s character “Tony” is transported via a paranormal mirror into three separate dimensions, these new worlds will now be inhabitated by Depp, Law, and Farrell.
Production has yet to resume and there’s been no official word as to when it will, but the film is still on board for a 2009 release.
Regarding Ledger’s death, AP reports that autopsy results reveal that Ledger’s death was an accidental overdose, specifically of “acute intoxication” from a combination of two strong painkillers, two anti-anxiety medicines, and two sleeping aids.
This is going to be an interesting film in regards to the casting.
Sad that this is the way that Depp and Gilliam get to work together.
Comment by Jerry — February 18, 2008 @ 10:18 am
Interesting. Hopefully this will come off better than some of Gilliam’s last few films. I’d hate to see another production of his shut down permanently.
Comment by Ben — February 18, 2008 @ 2:16 pm
This sounds awesome! A great way to complete Ledger’s last film!
With those actors and Tom Waits as the devil? Sign me up! I think this is a brilliant way to give the world Heath’s last performance.
And don’t worry, Johnny may still return to Gilliam’s Don Quixote project. There are so many options.
And those naysayers who only saw “Grimm Brothers”, watch “Tideland” and tell me that Gilliam has lost his touch. I dare you.
Comment by Chuck — February 19, 2008 @ 3:16 am