'Dark Knight' dedicated to Ledger, FX man

LOS ANGELES, June 27 (UPI) -- "The Dark Knight" reportedly is to be dedicated to Australian actor Heath Ledger and a special-effects technician, both of whom died before the film opened.

Conway Wickliffe, who worked on the new Batman movie's special effects, was killed last September in a stunt-car accident and Ledger died of an accidental prescription drug overdose in January after wrapping his role as The Joker in the film.

People.com said the movie's closing credits will include the message, "In memory of our friends Heath Ledger & Conway Wickliffe."

Starring Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Aaron Eckhart and Maggie Gyllenhaal, the movie is to open July 18.