Colin thanked for filling Heath's 'Imaginarium' role
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Actor Colin Farrell attends the 80th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre on February 24, 2008 in Los Angeles, California Credit: Steve Granitz/WireImage
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By Gareth Morgan and Anita Singh
Tuesday Mar 11 2008
THE director of Heath Ledger's last film has thanked Colin Farrell for parachuting in at the last minute to replace the late actor.
'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus' will go ahead with Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law as Ledger's replacements, director Terry Gilliam confirmed yesterday.
When Ledger died of an accidental overdose in January, there were fears for the film's prospects. It had been suggested Ledger's role would be completed using CGI (computer generated imagery), as happened when Oliver Reed died during the making of 'Gladiator', but in a twist Ledger's recorded parts will be used alongside performances from Depp, Farrell and Law.
The film's producers said: "Since the format of the story allows for the preservation of his entire performance, at no point will Heath's work be altered through the use of digital technology. Each of the parts played by Johnny, Colin and Jude is representative of the many aspects of the character Heath was playing."
Gilliam added: "I am grateful to Johnny, Colin and Jude for coming on board. I am delighted that Heath's performance can be shared with the world."
The project is going ahead with the blessing and support of Ledger's family, the producers added.
Filming has resumed in Vancouver, Canada, and is due to wrap in April, with the movie likely to be released early next year.
Farrell has described the late call-up as "a painful honour".
Meanwhile, potential Farrells of the future can benefit from the US's largest acting school, which is coming to Dublin to teach actors to market themselves in America.
The 'Business of Acting in America -- An International Actor's Guide to Working in New York and Los Angeles' presentation taught by Alan Nusbaum, the founder and CEO of TVI Actors Studio, will take place on Sunday, April 6, at Filmbase Curved Street Building, Temple Bar.
- Gareth Morgan and Anita Singh
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