It was showbiz glitz with a difference at the premiere of the new Batman movie, The Dark Knight, in New York Monday night; instead of the usual red carpet there was a black one rolled out. The movie itself was another high octane Hollywood offering that is supposedly destined for box office success.

The film, directed by Chris Nolan, has Christian Bale as Batman, Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes, a role earlier essayed by Katie Holmes, and the late Heath Ledger as the iconic Joker. Others in the cast include actors of the caliber of Sir Michael Caine and Gary Oldman.

Speaking to Access Hollywood was the cast of the movie, covering a range of topics – the movie itself, the possibility of a sequel, and also about the person whose role has drawn rave applause from all who have seen the movie so far, the late Heath Ledger.

Also at the premiere was Heath’s family – his father Kim, mother, Sally Bell, and her husband, and Kate, his sister. The family, however, opted to get in through another entrance instead of walking the black carpet.

Speaking about the movie, Christian Bale, who plays Batman, said the success of the movie was because of the vision of the director, Chris Nolan. Bale said, “Chris Nolan has created a whole new Batman that I can actually hold my head up high and not be embarrassed to say ‘I’m Batman.’ I’m very proud of it.”

The actor who steals the show in this version, however, is undoubtedly the late Heath Ledger. The entire crew, from Bale right down to Michael Caine and Maggie Gyllenhaal, as well as Ledger’s father, were effusive in their praise for Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker.

Speaking about Ledger’s role, his father Kim said, “The Dark Knight is everything we hoped it would be and more. Heath loved the experience of creating this character and working on the film. We are so proud of our boy.”

Bale said about Ledger, “It celebrates his talent. I despise the whole circus around his death, but the fact is, he was a fierce talent. He created an iconic character that will be classic for the ages — he’s outdone any previous Joker before. It’s tragic that he’s not here. But we’ll celebrate him.”

Maggie Gyllenhaal said of Ledger’s role in the film, “Heath is incredible in the movie and you know he’s totally free in the movie, which is so rare even among the greatest actors. And I think all of the attention that it’s getting him makes total sense when you watch his work. It’s such a shame he’s gone.”

According to Sir Michael, Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker was good enough for an Oscar. “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.”

Director Nolan had a different take on Ledger’s Joker portrayal. “What we wanted to do was create a villain that’s iconic and terrifying, I think, but also recognizably human. And I think Heath does that in a very interesting way – I think people are going to be blown away.”

While it remains to be seen what the audience thinks of the movie, pundits have predicted a blockbuster showing at the box office. And Ledger bagging the Oscar would be the icing on the cake for the actor who passed away tragically in a case of accidental drug overdose in January this year.

The London premiere of The Dark Knight would be on July 21, with the movie slated to open at the box office in the UK on July 25.