Heath Ledger to Play Joker in Next 'Batman'

Heath Ledger will play the Joker in "The Dark Knight," the sequel to last year's "Batman Begins."

Christian Bale will again star as Batman, and Christopher Nolan will return as director, Warner Bros. studio announced Monday.

"The Dark Knight" is set to begin production next year.

Ledger, 27, was nominated for a best actor Oscar for his role in 2005's "Brokeback Mountain."

"Our challenge in casting the Joker was to find an actor who is not just extraordinarily talented but fearless," Nolan said in a statement issued by Warner Bros. "Watching Heath Ledger's interpretation of this iconic character taking on Christian Bale's Batman is going to be incredible."

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