Posthumous Batman Oscar won't happen - Terry Gilliam

THE late actor Heath Ledger is tipped for a posthumous Oscar for his performance in the new Batman film, but one Highgate legend has rubbished the idea. Terry Gilliam, who directed Ledger in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, has branded the idea a publ

THE late actor Heath Ledger is tipped for a posthumous Oscar for his performance in the new Batman film, but one Highgate legend has rubbished the idea.

Terry Gilliam, who directed Ledger in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, has branded the idea a publicity stunt.

"Warner Brothers will do anything to publicise their film," he said.

"That's just what they do. They're like a great white shark which devours whatever it can."

Gilliam, who rose to fame with the Monty Python set, has had an asteroid named after him and has won a host of movie awards - but never an Oscar. Could there be any hint of bitterness towards the Hollywood establishment?

But there is another Highgate filmmaker who won't be complaining if Ledger picks up an Oscar.

Christopher Nolan, the son of Highgate Society member Brendan Nolan, directed Dark Knight, which is out in cinemas now.