“The Dark Knight” Breaks $1 Billion and Ledger’s First Scholarship Awarded
Holy One Beeeeeeeeelion dollars, Batman!
“The Dark Knight” has become the fourth film to gross $1 billion in the box office, worldwide. Waner Bros., released a statement Friday afternoon stating the combined domestic and international gross totals: $1,001,082,160 — to date. The breakdown is about $533 million domestically and $567 million overseas. “The Dark Knight” now joins the elite ranks of “Titanic”, “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”
Heath Ledger is also the favorite for an Oscar win on Sunday, for his Joker performance in the film.
Speaking of Ledger, the $10,000 bursary set up by the late actor’s ex-wife, Michelle Williams and friends after his death was presented to Oliver Ackland at an LA party for Australian Oscar nominees. The scholarship’s purpose is to give aspiring Australian actors assistance while they try to break through in Hollywood.
Greg Jordan, who directed Ledger in Two Hands and Ned Kelly set up the award after Ledger’s death, while fellow Australian actors Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts, and Hugh Jackman also contributed to the $10,000 award.
Oliver Ackland who has been working in bars and as a gardener while pursuing his acting career was chosen from a pool of 150 applicants.
