Gilliam: 'Ledger's death sealed the fate of film'

Director Terry Gilliam has said that the death of actor Heath Ledger "sealed the fate" of his new film.

After the premiere of The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus at the Cannes Film Festival, the director expressed his "sense of duty" for completing the picture due to the "energy and enthusiasm" of the late Australian actor.

Ledger's unfinished last performance will merge with Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law's portrayal of his character in the complete film.

Gilliam told The AP: "The closing credit says 'By Heath and Friends' because the film changed with his death.

"He forced me to make changes and we wouldn't have finished it if it wasn't for Heath. Everybody was just energised by Heath. He was extraordinary. He was almost exhausting because he had so much energy."