Castmates honor Heath Ledger at the New York Dark Knight premiere

The New York City premiere of The Dark Knight was held at the AMC Loews Lincoln Square theatre last night. The film has gotten tremendously good reviews (with the exception of New York Magazine) and many theaters have already sold out tickets for the July 18th opening.

Heath Ledger has gotten such amazing reviews for his performance. Although his untimely death obviously created a lot of press for the film – his last full role – I think he would have gotten nearly as much had that tragic accident not occurred. From the looks of it, he gives an out-of-this-world performance. And I think that’s a great legacy to leave behind – Heath isn’t getting all this attention just for something heartbreaking, but because of his amazing talent.

"Working with Heath was fantastic," said Christian Bale, 34, who reprises his role as the Caped Crusader. "He steals the movie and I'm quite happy to say that. He's a hell of a talent and created a joker that's very iconic and one that will become a classic portrayal of the ages."

Michael Caine, 75, who plays butler Alfred Pennyworth in the film, which opens July 18, noted the "intensity and ferocity of the performance."

"But when we were sitting down between takes, he was completely ordinary," Caine added. "He wasn't preparing himself or saying 'Please leave me alone, I've gotta do this.' Instead he was talking to me.

"We would sit and chat and have a cup of coffee, then suddenly they'd say, 'We're ready, Heath,' and he'd go straight into The Joker," Caine continued. "His energy was astonishing, especially when it came from this kind of calm. He's certainly the best villain I've ever seen."

[From People]

I’ve noticed that Christian Bale always speaks about Heath Ledger in the present tense. He did the same thing in an interview on The Today Show yesterday morning.

Heath’s family attended the premiere, but very quietly. Heath’s father, mother, stepmother, and older sister all avoided the red carpet (which was actually black) and sneaked into the theater quietly to watch the film. Upon exiting, Heath’s father Kim gave a thumbs-up to the press, and said the movie was “very good.” By pretty much everyone’s account, The Dark Knight is great – and a true example of Heath Ledger’s immense talent and dedication.

Here are Christian Bale and Sibi Blazic; Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard; Michael Caine and Shakira Caine, Morgan Freeman, Lauren Conrad, Ed Westwick, Gary Oldman, Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann, Nestor Carbonell, Robert Buckley, Edie Falco, Ethan Hawke, Aaron Eckhart, Karina Smirnoff, Chin Han, and Blake Lively at the premiere last night in New York City. Images thanks to WENN.