The Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan as the follow-up to 2005’s Batman Begins, is a movie that undoubtedly captures the spotlight this summer. Fierce action, comic-book scenarios, and grave jokes litter the film, which was released in movie theaters earlier this week. But one cast member stole the circus sideshow. Enter the clown–Heath Ledger, with his caked-on face paint, runny red smile and deep-set laugh.

In his last movie, the Academy Award-nominated actor stars as the Joker. “The Joker is the more flamboyant villain, so he commands attention,” said Nolan of the dynamic character. The sadistic Ledger plays tricks and teases Gotham City (shot on location in Chicago by cinematographer Wally Pfister ) folding out of his clown car to interpret one of the most remembered Jokers of Batman history. But as ill-fated as the Joker is in this summer blockbuster, so too was Ledger.

Sadly, the film has been hyped up mostly by the tragic death of Ledger in January this year. The actor, 28, had starred in such acclaimed films as 10 Things I Hate About You, The Patriot, Monster’s Ball, A Knight’s Tale, and Brokeback Mountain , where he began dating Michelle Williams on set.

In an interview before his death, Ledger talked about playing the role of the Joker. “That was the most fun I’ve ever had, probably ever will have, playing any character.”

Christian Bale, playing Batman in the movie, said Heath had an original take for playing this disturbed character: “He’s going to do something really different with it.”When asked about a sequel to The Dark Knight Bale remarked, “There is also another challenge, which is Heath has done such a superb job with this, how do you create a superior villain to that?” Amazed movie critics still haven’t found the answer.

Incredibly, audiences are said to already be favoring the villain (Ledger) to the hero (Bale). Bale’s portrayal as the dark-voiced Batman is overdone and distracting, while the Joker is as brilliantly disturbing as ever. It could be that Ledger in the role of the Joker has had the last laugh after all.