Terry Gilliam's THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS resumes filming; Johnny Depp to join cast

Shooting has restarted in Vancouver on Terry Gilliam’s film THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS; Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law will complete the role begun by the late Heath Ledger. According to Variety, “The decision to use several actors to replace Ledger was made possible because of the fantastical nature of the story, in which characters pass from contemporary London through a magic mirror into various parallel worlds of the imagination.” At the time of his death on January 22, 2008, Heath Ledger had completed the London-based filming of the realistic section of the storyline, which will be preserved. Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law will each play a “physically transformed version” of the Heath Ledger character as the character crosses into other worlds.

Ledger’s final performance will be respected and left intact, without computer manipulation. The movie’s producers released the following statement: “Since the format of the story allows for the preservation of his entire performance, at no point will Heath’s work be modified or altered through the use of digital technology. Each of the parts played by Johnny, Colin and Jude is representative of the many aspects of the character that Heath was playing.”

Regarding the resumption of work on THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS, director Terry Gilliam said, “I am grateful to Johnny, Colin and Jude for coming on board, and to everyone else who has made it possible for us to finish the film. I am delighted that Heath’s brilliant performance can be shared with the world.” Added Gilliam, “We are looking forward to finishing the movie and, through the film, with a modicum of humility, being able to touch people’s hearts and souls as Heath was able to do.”

The Zone thanks emma for breaking the news; you can read articles from Variety, the Hollywood Reporter, Screen Daily, and the UK Press Association on the Zone’s News & Views forum. We send our best wishes to the company of THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS and hope all goes well for them. –Part-Time Poet

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