Does the universe hate Terry Gilliam? The man can't catch a break. I would love to see Johnny Depp take over the role, especially if they can keep the Ledger footage. What a tragedy. I am so excited to see The Dark Knight, and if the trailer is any indication, he has created a new take on an iconic character. Thoughts out to his family.

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With apologies to Ledger, this could only be seen as an upgrade if Gilliam pulls this off. Depp is just as talented an actor as Ledger was, if not more so, but would seem to have far more box office appeal.

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Wow, an upgrade? Are you serious? It may be better for the studio financially, but I have to imagine there was a reason Ledger was cast in the first place. I love Depp too but they aren't the same actor... just plain and simple, they aren't. Depp just dosn't do dark/twisted as well as ledger. Hopefully JD will be able to do the this one justice.

I encourage a release with Ledger's footage... I just hope that it can be blended to make sense and be fair to what has been filmed thus far.

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If this news is accurate, I look at it as a gesture of friendship that Depp already has with Gilliam going back all the qay to "Fear and Loathing". It would appear as Depp helping out his friend (Gilliam). Thus, it would be logical to stay away from words like "upgrade", after all I doubt Gilliam is concerned about box office success.

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Depp is also an actor particular to roles he chooses and the characters he portrays. This film seems like a film that would provide a charactor Depp would choose to play not out of Ledgers death but to put his talent in force.

Ledgers work must be seen! It would be the biggest tribute to his life for the world to see his talents and what he offers the world in film, let Depp help bring the project to a close and also shine... perhaps Depp and Ledger can be seen shadowing each other in some way.

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Just for clarification, when I meant it would be an upgrade it was in reference to appeasing the 'financial backers' that were alluded to in the article. For them, the box office power that Depp has is almost certainly an upgrade over Ledger. I wasn't trying to insinuate that money was ever Ledger or Gilliam's primary concern.

For the record though, I'm confident that Depp could do the dark/twisted roles as good as anyone if that's what he chose to do instead of the Goth Lite roles he tends to lead to.

Depp's box office draw: http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,23005808-5005380,00.html

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If this rumor as stated IS true then I would be all for it. To keep Heath's part then switch over to Depp would make for a VERY interesting movie. I am in full agreement with that idea on one condition. They NEED to keep the parts with Heath as a tribute to his last film.

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i mean it's artistically interesting, and Gilliam doesn't deserve to have another film shelved, Ledger doesn't deserve not to be seen... it all makes too much sense... [and if anyone is chameleon enough to pull it off it's Depp]

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Let me start by saying that the passing of Heath Ledger is a terrible thing that has really bothered me. Without sounding heartless, as I started thinking about the movie he was shooting I instantly thought of Johnny Depp stepping in. Perfect choice, if the show must go on...

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I think there are only two actors that could pull off a dark and dual role such as this: Depp and Bloom. Although Bloom is not know as the dark and deep guy yet he definately has hints of ability and everyone knows that talent oozes from Depp. The only questions in my mind is not if the Ledger footage should be kept but how much of it can be kept and how to do justice to both Ledger and who ever has what this type of project needs... which ever way you go its got to come from the soul.

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It would be an awful shame if Health's last work gets dumped, never to be seen. After all, he has no doubt used his extraordinary talents to perfect this role in his style. Don't let this go to waste! Heath worked extremely hard which led to his exhaustion. Every bit of his work should be given the chance to be appreciated, otherwise, his work would be in vain.

I believe Johnny Depp would do the remainder of this role justice.

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I too would like to convey my thoughts to the family, friends and fans of Heath Ledger, however the old hollywood clique states that the show must go on, i am sure that is what Heath would of wanted. If Johnny Depp chooses to step into Heaths role i am certain it would be more of a tribute to Heath and his work moreso than any other reason. For most people it will be kind of a farewell to an inspirational actor, to not show Heaths final scenes would be disrespectful and wrong. However most importantly i think as a courtesy yhe studio should run it by his family first as the previewing of the film maybe to soon for them.

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