i know this was an old post...but i had to respond to it...i dont know where the rumor came from, but your source was full of crap...nicholson supported heath all the way, early on in the filming before heaths death, he met up with nicholson to see what he thought of heath's portrayal of the role...and Nicholson loved it and seeing the movie, I think Ledger did brilliantly. Im not sure if I can positively say he topped Nicholson's performance, but they're neck and neck for the top... and the only reason you cant say who is better is because they both played Jokers character in different times. Ledger played the psychotic murderer part flawlessly i do believe, and he still had jokers sarcasm and wit almost nailed and this is the kind of joker who is uncensored and most realistic to the idea of what he is...but Nicholson played brilliantly for his time period when it was filmed, I mean lets face it, noone would have dared act as psychotic back then as Ledger did in this movie. p.s. Not sure if any of you know this, but Jack Nicholson also required prescription sleeping pills after doing this roll...Heath's act of the character just had a heavier toll
