Heath Ledger Returns as The Joker in ‘Batman 3’

Director Chris Nolan is looking at previously unseen footage Heath Ledger shot for “The Dark Knight” in order to have The Joker make one last appearance on “The Dark Knight Rises,” the official name of the third Batman film.

Though he previously said that, out of respect for the late actor, his family and, of course, his fans, he would never recast the role that landed Heath an Oscar, Nolan never said anything about bringing Ledger back for the part.

Perhaps no one believed it possible. If this report is accurate, Nolan has one major surprise in store for fans because he’s working on bringing back The Joker for one last time.

Sources tell Stuff that Nolan has never before seen footage with the late actor in character, footage that he believes he can use to make an entire scene for the new movie – with the help of CGI as well, of course.

“Christopher Nolan is reportedly considering using previously unseen footage of Heath Ledger in the new Batman movie,” Stuff says, adding that Nolan is reportedly “keen on paying tribute” to Ledger this way.

“The idea is to use these fragments of cut scenes and use CGI to have The Joker appear one last time. Chris wants some continuity between movies and for the franchise to pay tribute to Heath and his portrayal of the Joker,” a well-placed source dishes.

The role would be small, indeed, adds the spy, but it will undoubtedly strike a chord with fans and critics alike, especially since Ledger’s The Joker was the best Joker ever to grace the screen.

“It would only be a fleeting moment in the movie and would only be included with the full consent of Heath’s family,” adds the spy.

Confirmation (or denial) of this is yet to come but, as also noted above, Nolan once said The Joker wouldn’t be recast because that part belonged with Ledger – and will continue to do so while he, Nolan, was still at the helm of the franchise.

Obviously, if Nolan aims to bring back Heath himself through old footage, that doesn’t mean he’s going back on his word.

Keep an eye on this space for updates on this.