Heath Ledger Guilt

Mr. Ledger's final completed film, The Dark Knight, is coming this summer...


There isn't much I can add to the growing discourse over the untimely death of Heath Ledger. It's interesting how you sometimes don't realize how fond a place that a cultural figure has in your heart until they are gone--especially when they're gone at such a young age and so unexpectedly. I really do consider this a loss. Young, spare celebs who kick the bucket elicit little reaction from me and there's a part of me that wonders how Britney Spears can live despite all her best efforts and a true talent like Heath Ledger can die in what appear to be accidental circumstances.

But that's not why I write. I write because ever since learning of his death, I am weighed down by the guilt that was created by one of my first reactions: "I'm so glad he finished the new Batman movie before he died." I am a huge, gigantic prick. But damn if I don't love me some Batman-- especially since Ledger plays the role of the Joker and especially because I truly love the new Christian Bale-led series that Christopher Nolan kicked off with Batman Begins a few years back. Am I alone? Tell me if my reaction is unique to my own inherent "a-hole"-ness or if any of you, in the darkest little corner of your dirty hearts thought something similar...