<P> However, with the first trailer released in 2007, the film and its portrayal of the Joker received very positive response from audiences and entertainment industry professionals alike . Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro gushed of his impression for Ledger's performance, finding it "really, really edgy and scary ." American Batman writers Paul Dini and Jeph Loeb both chimed with the positive reactions . Loeb, otherwise critical of Nicholson's portrayal of the character, expressed his excitement for Ledger's interpretation, saying the casting felt "just about right . I eagerly anticipate more!" </P> <P> Heath Ledger's portrayal of the Joker received critical acclaim, winning numerous posthumous awards for his performance, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture, the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor, a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role, and a Best Actor International Award at the 2008 Australian Film Institute Awards . </P> <P> "I can only speak superlatives of Ledger, who is mad - crazy - brilliant as the Joker", wrote Peter Travers of Rolling Stone, stating that the film is deeper than its predecessor, with a "deft" script that refuses to scrutinize the Joker with popular psychology . Travers praised the cast, saying each brings his or her "' A' game" to the film ." Travers said Ledger moves the Joker away from Jack Nicholson's interpretation into darker territory, and expresses his support for any potential campaign to have Ledger nominated for an Academy Award, </P> <P> Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun - Times stated that Heath Ledger's portrayal is a "key performance" and pondered whether he would become the first posthumous Academy Award - winning actor since Peter Finch in 1976 . </P>

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