Ledger won't appear in new Batman film

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Director Christopher Nolan says footage of the late Australian actor Heath Ledger will not appear in "The Dark Knight Rises."

Ledger won a posthumous Oscar for his portrayal of the evil-maniacal Joker in Nolan's last Batman flick "The Dark Knight," which was a blockbuster in 2008.

The Hollywood Reporter said Nolan recently denied rumors claiming he and Warner Bros. were considering using previously unseen footage of Ledger as the Joker into the upcoming "Rises."

His wife/producing partner Emma Thomas also said the story is untrue.

"I heard the rumor," said Thomas. "We're not doing that."