Despite missing out on an Oscar for his performance in "Brokeback Mountain", the late Heath Ledger may still win the award.
Ledger's "Dark Knight" co-stars, Gary Oldman and Christian Bale, have both praised his performance as "Batman" villain, the Joker.
Rave reviews from screenings of the film in Los Angeles and New York have tipped Ledger as a worthy Oscar contender for best supporting actor.
"I think it's one of the most psychologically scariest screen villains ever; I think it out-villains Hannibal Lecter ... it would surprise me if he didn't get a posthumous Oscar for it," said Gary Oldman.
"A lot of people talk about awards all the time and it's early days," said Christian Bale, who stars as Batman. "But if anybody deserves it, of course, it is Heath in this."
The only star to have received a posthumous acting Oscar was Peter Finch, who won for his performance as Howard Beale in the 1976 flick "Network".
