Well, shit.

CBR News

The New York Times reported today that Heath Ledger, star of "Brokeback Mountain" and the upcoming "Batman Begins" sequel "The Dark Knight," has died. CBR News contacted a Warner Bros. representative connected with "The Dark Knight," and can confirm Heath Ledger is dead. Mr. Ledger was 28-years-old.

New York City Police indicated they found prescription as well as non prescription drugs near the body, which was discovered this afternoon in an apartment allegedly inhabited by actress Mary-Kate Olsen, who was at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, the time of Ledger's death. The body of Ledger was found by Olsen's housekeeper and a masseuse with whom Ledger had an appointment. The police do not suspect foul play, and told The New York Times it is yet unclear why Ledger was in Olsen's apartment.

TMZ is reporting Ledger was initially found unconscious this afternoon, but was in full cardiac arrest by the time paramedics arrived on the scene, where the actor was finally pronounced dead.

Police tell TMZ Ledger's death was accidental.

TMZ is now reporting that information from a "highly credible source" connected to Ledger indicates the apartment in which the actor was found dead is not in any way connected with actress Mary-Kate Olsen. The New York Times' latest update (approximately 6:00pm EST) would seem to confirm this, citing a representative of Ms. Olsen who said the apartment does not belong to the actress.

The New York Times has published the following statement issued by the New York City Police Department.

ON TUESDAY, 01/22/08, AT APPROXIMATELY 1530 HOURS, IN THE CONFINES OF THE 5 PRECINCT, POLICE RESPONDED TO 421 BROOME STREET AND FOUND A M/W/28 UNCONSCIOUS. THE VICTIM WAS PRONOUNCED DOA AT THE SCENE. [MEDICAL EXAMINER'S] OFFICE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF DEATH. INVESTIGATION CONTINUES.

Watch this space for more on this story as it develops.

Three things:

1. This is obviously a damned shame. Everything I'd heard of Ledger indicated he was a decent guy, and everything I'd heard of his performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight indicated that he'd done a fine job in the role.
   
2. For Christopher Nolan's sake, and our own, I really hope all of Ledger's scenes were already shot.
   
3. If Ledger's performance as the Joker is as good as everyone says, I predict this is going to cast an unintentional, but undeniable, eerie resonance on watching The Dark Knight. Anyone remember how chillingly compelling it was, to watch The Crow in the theater?