Heath Ledger signs on as 'Casanova'

NEW YORK, March 15 (UPI) -- Australian Heath Ledger will play the title role in Lasse Hallstrom's "Casanova," scheduled for filming in August in Venice, Italy.

The Walt Disney Co. movie about an Italian Lothario is among several projects that will make this a very busy year for Ledger, the Hollywood Reporter says.

The producers for "Casanova" are Mark Gordon, Leslie Holleran and Betsy Beers.

Gordon and Ledger worked together previously on "The Patriot," which also starred Mel Gibson.

In late March, Ledger will start work on "Lords of Dogtown," a Columbia Pictures film directed by Catherine Hardwicke. Next will be a cowboy role with Jake Gyllenhaal in Focus Fatures' "Brokeback Mountain," directed by Ang Lee.

Then comes the filming in Venice for "Casanova," a romantic comedy.