Gary Oldman's Eerie Prediction About Heath Ledger's Oscar Win
Seven months before the Academy Awards ceremony, Gary Oldman made a bold prediction about his Dark Knight co-star that would prove remarkably accurate. His foresight about Heath Ledger's performance reveals the immediate impact of an iconic portrayal.
Gary Oldman continues collecting Golden Globe nominations like clockwork, this time earning recognition for his chaotic yet brilliant portrayal of MI5 agent Jackson Lamb in Apple TV's hit series Slow Horses. The veteran actor has undoubtedly reached legendary status in Hollywood, but few know about his uncanny ability to predict Oscar outcomes.
A Prophetic Assessment on Set
While Oldman may not possess supernatural powers, he demonstrated remarkable foresight regarding Heath Ledger's Academy Award prospects for The Dark Knight back in 2008. Working alongside Ledger as Commissioner Jim Gordon, Oldman witnessed firsthand the Australian actor's transformative performance as the Joker in Christopher Nolan's masterpiece.
Ledger completed filming just two months before his tragic death from an accidental overdose in New York. Even during production, the performance was generating buzz among cast members. Michael Caine reportedly lost focus on his own lines because he was so captivated by Ledger's work on camera.
The Prediction That Came True
When The Dark Knight hit theaters more than six months after Ledger's passing, Oldman spoke confidently about his co-star's chances during awards season. "I think he will get a posthumous Oscar nomination, and he could win it. It's as good a performance as anyone out there has turned in. He was brilliant," Oldman declared.
His prediction proved absolutely correct. Ledger claimed both the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and a Golden Globe, with his family accepting the honors on his behalf. The performance cemented Ledger's place in cinema history as one of the most compelling villains ever captured on film.
Legacy and Current Projects
Though Ledger had previously earned Best Actor nominations for his role in Brokeback Mountain, his Joker remains his defining achievement. Nolan himself acknowledged the loss, stating after Ledger's death: "After Heath passed on, we saw a hole ripped in the future of cinema."
Oldman, who finally won his own Oscar in 2018 for playing Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour, continues thriving with Slow Horses currently filming its sixth season. Recent episodes even included what appeared to be a nod to Ledger's Batman villain when Jackson Lamb referenced the pencil trick scene from The Dark Knight. Beyond television, Oldman is lending his voice to the upcoming video game Squadron 42 and preparing to direct Flying Horse, a biographical film about photography pioneer Eadweard Muybridge.