Stars To Donate Fees To Heath Ledger's Daughter

The three actors who replaced Heath Ledger in his final film are to donate their fees to the late star’s daughter.

Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, and Jude Law replaced the late actor in scenes for Terry Gilliam’s The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus after filming was suspended when Ledger was found dead in his New York City apartment in January. In the film, which is slated for a 2009 release, Ledger must visit three different dimensions through a paranormal mirror in a bid to rescue the daughter of a traveling showman who sold his child to the devil in exchange for everlasting life. And although Ledger’s completed scenes will be included in the film, Law, Depp and Farrell will also appear in place of the actor in scenes that had not been shot.

“The great thing about it was when Heath died those three actors came along and saved the day. It’s now four actors creating one character,” said Gilliam. “The three actors were totally heroic coming in because this doesn’t happen very often, where there is a tragedy and very famous and successful actors come in and say OK we’ll do whatever it takes to help. To be part of that is wonderful. They didn’t take money – it goes to Heath’s daughter.”

According to the BBC, Ledger had not updated his will to include his daughter Matilda or his ex-partner Michelle Williams, and his family has promised that the pair would be an “absolute priority”. The stars were reportedly concerned about Matilda’s future, so they decided the money they made for the film should go to her.

“That’s extraordinary! And wonderful,” Gilliam told Britain’s The Sun newspaper. “…And when you’re part of that, you think, ‘Ah, this is maybe why I went into the movies in the beginning. I thought it would be full of wonderful people.’”