First Teaser Look at Heath Ledger’s Last Film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Quick Stop Entertainment has released what they are calling a teaser trailer for what will ultimately be known as Heath Ledger’s final film role, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. The video would probably more appropriately be called a featurette by most people as it lacks the elements of a true teaser. However, it is insightful as director Terry Gilliam himself gives us an introduction to the film through a combination of photos and concept art.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is a fantastical morality tale, set in the present day. It tells the story of Dr Parnassus and his extraordinary ‘Imaginarium’, a travelling show where members of the audience get an irresistible opportunity to choose between light and joy or darkness and gloom. Blessed with the extraordinary gift of guiding the imaginations of others, Dr Parnassus is cursed with a dark secret. Long ago he made a bet with the devil, Mr Nick, in which he won immortality. Many centuries later, on meeting his one true love, Dr Parnassus made another deal with the devil, trading his immortality for youth, on condition that when his first-born reached its 16th birthday he or she would become the property of Mr Nick.

Valentina is now rapidly approaching this ‘coming of age’ milestone and Dr Parnassus is desperate to protect her from her impending fate. Mr Nick arrives to collect but, always keen to make a bet, renegotiates the wager. Now the winner of Valentina will be determined by whoever seduces the first five souls. Enlisting a series of wild, comical and compelling characters in his journey, Dr Parnassus promises his daughter’s hand in marriage to the man that helps him win. In this captivating, explosive and wonderfully imaginative race against time, Dr Parnassus must fight to save his daughter in a never-ending landscape of surreal obstacles - and undo the mistakes of his past once and for all.

Most of you will remember that Ledger’s death came mid-way through filming on this production. The movie stopped shooting and most thought the entire production would be lost. However, Gilliam along with some other very enterprising and creative people figured out a way to replace Ledger in the shots they were missing while still maintaining the logic of the story. Jude Law, Colin Farrell, and Johnny Depp then stepped in and volunteered to assume Ledger’s role in the missing sections enabling the filmmakers to complete the film (they donated their earnings on the film to Ledger’s daughter).

From what I can ascertain the film has now completed shooting and is in post-production. There isn’t a release date yet, but one would assume the film would be released sometime in 2009.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is directed by Terry Gilliam and stars Heath Ledger, Jude Law, Colin Farrell, Johnny Depp, Christopher Plummer, Verne Troyer, Tom Waits, Lily Cole, and Quinn Lord.