Ledger, 28, will have the starring role in this production, while Sean Penn will have a supporting role. The movie is being done by River Road Entertainment.
Malick did the movie The Thin Red Line and The New World, and will be confirming his involvement with this film in the near future. Filming will begin in March 2008.
Two years earlier, Colin Farrell was in talks with the producers to play this part. Penn is a good friend of Malick’s and collaborated in The Thin Red Line.
Heath Ledger can be seen in the movies I’m Not There and The Dark Night next summer.