Ledger's death puts question mark on 'Dark Knight' ad

Washington, Jan 25 : Heath Ledger's tragic death has put the already-launched ad campaign for the big-budgeted 'Batman' sequel 'The Dark Knight', at stake.

The Wall Street Journal has learned that Ledger's villainous character of the 'Joker' figures heavily in Warner Bros.' ad plan for the release.

It also quoted a studio spokeswoman as saying that the marketing campaign would continue but declined further comment.

The movie's sales kicked off in October 2007 with an elaborate online teaser. The Dark Knight's trailer also debuted that month, with both the prologue and trailer featuring Ledger's Joker.

The movie's poster also stars Ledger in his Joker makeup, with the slogan "Why So Serious?" scrawled in red.

With The Dark Knight still in post-production in Hollywood, the Journal reports that some of edger's dialogue may still need to be re-recorded.

On Wednesday, Warner Bros. issued a statement, saying that the studio was stunned and devastated by the tragic news of Ledger's death.

"The studio is stunned and devastated by this tragic news. The entertainment community has lost an enormous talent. Heath was a brilliant actor and an exceptional person. Our hearts go out to is family and friends," People quoted the issued statement.

ANI