Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” has made its much-awaited debut, premiering Monday night at the AMC Loews Lincoln Square theater in New York, those present with all eyes on them, those absent sadly missed.

Director Christopher Nolan and stars Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine, and Maggie Gyllenhaal were present Monday night for the premiere of a film that promises to be this summer’s most memorable cinematic event.

The late Heath Ledger, who brilliantly portrays the Joker in the film, according to both director and cast and early reviews from film critics, was in everyone’s thoughts.

Christian Bale told reporters that Ledger’s on screen embodiment of the Joker is “fantastic.”

“He steals the movie. I’m quite happy to say that,” the actor commented, as quoted by USA Today.

Michael Caine, who plays Bruce Wayne’s butler Alfred, was not at a loss for words when asked about his late co-star, insisting that the movie shows “one of the best performances not from him — but ever,” well deserving of an Academy Award.

“I’d hate to be up for an Oscar this year in the supporting category. If someone beats him, I want to see who,” the seasoned actor concluded.

Maggie Gyllenhaal, who took over duties as Batman’s love interest Rachel Dawes from Katie Holmes, who co-starred in 2005’s “Batman Returns,” said she did not feel this as the right place to talk about the actor, prematurely gone.

“This isn’t really the place where you open your heart up,” said Gyllenhaal. “It’s terribly sad that Heath is gone, and of course I feel bad, but it’s difficult to talk about here.”

Then again, Nolan, Bale and all the others have been answering questions related to Heath Ledger, who died from an accidental prescription drug overdose in January, for weeks now.  

Earlier this month, Gary Oldman, who portrays Lieutenant James Gordon in the film, told E! Online Ledger “had this frequency none of us could hear” and opined that “the Academy tends to overlook movies like this, but this acting is so good it’s going to be very hard for them to avoid it.”

Aaron Eckhart, who plays Harvey Dent / Two-Face, also said Ledger “definitely” deserves an Oscar, while Bale commented that the Australian actor has “raised the bar.”
Christopher Nolan recollected how Ledger approached his character, how he “called me during preproduction from time to time to tell me what he was working on.”

“He told me he was researching the way ventriloquist dummies talk. It was a bit peculiar,” Nolan said.
Should Ledger receive a posthumous Academy Award, it would be the second such event, following Peter Finch’s win for the 1976 movie “Network.”
The end credits pay a fond tribute to Ledger, as well as to special-effects technician Conway Wickliffe, who was killed last September in a stunt-car accident. The tribute reads, “In memory of our friends Heath Ledger & Conway Wickliffe.”

Also present yesterday at the premiere were Heath Ledger’s parents. Father Kim Ledger was joined by his wife Ines, Heath’s stepmother, while mother Sally Bell was joined by her husband and Heath’s older sister Kate.

They did not walk the red carpet and did not answer questions from the reporters.

All fans waiting breathlessly will be able to see what the buzz is all about once “The Dark Knight” opens nationwide Friday, July 18.