While there's news this week about an Academy Award campaign being started by the late Heath Ledger's co-stars in "The Dark Knight," I can tell you Gary Oldman and Maggie Gyllenhaal were talking about it -- way back when I spoke to them at the press junket for the "Batman" film in Los Angeles-- about a month before the film was released.
That said, I'd be curious to hear from those of you who have seen the film.
In my opinion, Heath would have been nominated for an Oscar even if he had lived.
Because of his tragic and untimely death, there's an emotional outpouring -- which is understandable, but it should not cloud the issue.
He deserves that nomination -- and very likely the statuette, when they are handed out next February.
As Michael Caine told me on the red carpet -- at the Chicago premiere for "The Dark Knight" -- "if Heath doesn't win the Oscar, then I'd like to see the performance that beats him!"

Let me know what you think.