I agree, I too am holding out, He said dead, though not that he couldn't be in the movie. There is a lot of stuff they could do to keep him in it. Like flashbacks or something.

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Well of course they're going to continue with the franchise, I mean just because Ledger died doesn't mean they're just going to not make anymore Batman movies. Look, not only will they continue but I suspect they'll end up having to get someone to replace Ledger and play the Joker since he's such an important character. I have NO idea who that would be, but god help them if they screw it up...