Heath Ledger tipped for Oscar after The Dark Knight premiere

A black carpet was rolled out and there was talk of a posthumous Oscar, as Heath Ledger film The Dark Knight was unveiled in New York last night. Michael Caine led the tributes to Ledger, who died of an accidental drug overdose in January, telling reporters that his co-star's turn as The Joker in the latest Batman film was “the best performance of a villain I have seen”. “My feeling is that he will get a nomination, I would be very surprised if he didn't get the Oscar – he has my vote anyway,” said Sir Michael.

The Australian actor’s family were more reserved in their appreciation of the movie, which was Ledger’s last ever. His father, Kim, simply gave a thumbs-up to the press as he left the screening.

Ledger’s mother, Sally Bell, her husband, and Ledger’s sister, Kate, were also reported to have attended the premiere of the film, which is expected to be a Box Office hit, but avoided the black carpet, slipping in through a different entrance.

Despite a block of central Manhattan being shut down for the premiere and the presence of a large crowd eager to star spot, Christian Bale, who returns as Batman, made clear that Ledger, who was 28, was at the forefront of the cast’s mind.

“He’s created this anarchic, Sid Vicious-like, punk rock Joker, unlike any Joker that’s been seen before. I think it’s a real classic portrayal that will be remembered for ages.

“It is tragic he is not here, but I am here to see his talents and celebrate it and I hope everybody will.”

Director Christopher Nolan said: “What we wanted to do was create a villain that’s iconic and terrifying, I think, but also recognisably human.

“And I think Heath does that in a very interesting way – I think people are going to be blown away.”

Michelle Williams, Ledger’s former fiancée and the mother of his two-year-old daughter, did not attend, but his one-time partner, actress Naomi Watts, followed his family’s lead and entered through a back door with her husband.

The film, widely predicted to smash box office opening records, will have its London premiere on July 21, ahead of its UK release on July 25.