Ledger's last film may have U.S. buyer

HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Actor Heath Ledger's final film, "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," may have found a buyer in the United States, people involved in the negotiations said.

Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group is in advanced talks to pick up the film and distribute it theatrically through Sony Pictures Classics, Variety reported Thursday. The deal could be announced this week.

Sony officials said the film could be a money-maker in the home market because of Ledger, who died last year of an accidental drug overdose, and its other stars. Director Terry Gilliam's adventure features Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell, who replaced Ledger in several fantasy scenes after Ledger died during the film's production last year.

"The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" was unveiled during the Cannes film festival this year in an non-competition slot near the end of the festival.