'I Miss Heath Too Much': Marvel Star Paul Bettany Still Feels the Loss of Joker Legend Heath Ledger, and Still Can't Watch A Knight's Tale

Paul Bettany on Revisiting A Knight's Tale After Heath Ledger’s Passing

Paul Bettany, best known for his role as Vision in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has shared that he has not been able to rewatch his breakout performance in the 2001 medieval comedy A Knight's Tale, following the tragic loss of co-star Heath Ledger.

In the film, Ledger portrays William, a squire who rises to become a knight, with Bettany playing a fictionalized version of the famed writer Geoffrey Chaucer. The movie proved pivotal in launching both actors’ careers and continues to enjoy a devoted fan base, celebrated for its charismatic ensemble and energetic rock soundtrack.

“I saw the film when it first came out. I’ve never watched it again since,” Bettany reflected during a recent appearance at L.A. Comic Con, as reported by Entertainment Weekly. “There are many reasons for that, and one of them is simply that I miss Heath too much.”

Bettany added that the film now feels like “another lifetime ago,” though he still frequently encounters fans who approach him on the street, quoting lines from the movie.

Ledger went on to star in Monster’s Ball, Casanova, and Brokeback Mountain, but remains most widely recognized for his acclaimed performance as the Joker in 2008’s The Dark Knight, the sequel to Batman Begins. He passed away in January 2008, shortly after finishing filming, due to an accidental prescription drug overdose.

“I can tell you he just had a light that shone off him,” Bettany said in a 2021 interview with Vulture. “He was a movie star—you knew it the moment you met him. He had this glow, as you all might say, and it was incredibly hard not to fall in love with him. I think anyone who met him felt the same. He was full of joy and playfulness.”

Bettany is set to reprise his role as Vision in the upcoming Marvel television series Vision Quest, which will explore his character’s journey in the aftermath of the events in the popular Disney+ series WandaVision.