Paul Bettany Can’t Watch ‘A Knight’s Tale’: Still Grieving Over Joker Legend Heath Ledger

Paul Bettany, famously recognized as Vision from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, recently disclosed that he finds it difficult to revisit his early performance in the 2001 film “A Knight’s Tale” due to the emotional loss of his co-star, Heath Ledger.

In “A Knight’s Tale,” Ledger plays William, a squire who aspires to become a knight, while Bettany portrays Geoffrey Chaucer, the historical figure and writer, in a comedic light. The film not only propelled both actors into the spotlight but also continues to be cherished for its charismatic ensemble and distinctive rock music-infused soundtrack.

“I watched the movie when it was released. Since then, I haven’t watched it again,” Bettany remarked during a session at L.A. Comic Con, as Entertainment Weekly reported. He noted that his avoidance of the film is due partially to his profound sense of missing Ledger.

Bettany added that the film now seems like it belongs to a completely different era of his life, yet he often encounters fans who still recall and quote lines from it when they see him.

Following “A Knight’s Tale,” Ledger’s career advanced with significant roles in films such as “Monster’s Ball,” “Casanova,” and “Brokeback Mountain.” His most acclaimed role was as the Joker in “The Dark Knight,” the 2008 sequel to “Batman Begins,” for which he was posthumously awarded an Academy Award. Ledger passed away in January 2008 from an accidental prescription drug overdose shortly after filming his iconic role.

Reflecting on Ledger’s persona, Bettany told Vulture in a 2021 interview, “He had an unmistakable radiance that emanated from him. He was undoubtedly a movie star; anyone who met him could see he had a certain brilliance, and it was almost impossible not to fall in love with him. He possessed a playful, joyous spirit that was infectious.”

Looking ahead, Bettany is set to reprise his role as Vision in the upcoming Marvel TV series “Vision Quest,” which will explore his character’s adventures following the events of the popular Disney+ series “Wandavision.”