Ledger To Skip Oz Premiere of Candy
19 April 2006 - 13:54:45



Heath Ledger has opted to skip the Sydney premiere of the first Australian film he has made in four years.

While co-stars Abbie Cornish and Geoffrey Rush have cleared their schedules to hit the red carpet to promote the film 'Candy', Heath Ledger has been confirmed as a definite no-show at the May premiere, due to other commitments in the US.

"We've been told he will not be attending due to commitments in the US," a spokeswoman for Dendy films, the distributor of Candy, told Confidential yesterday.

Following the recent sale of his Bronte mansion, Ledger's decision may add weight to claims that the Hollywood star has decided to remain away from Sydney because of the treatment he received by local paparazzi.

When asked if Ledger's commitments referred to filming obligations, the spokeswoman said she didn't know.

Ledger, whose first child Matilda Rose was born last October, has spoken frequently about his year's hiatus from movie-making following a whirlwind 2005, when he starred in four feature films including Brokeback Mountain.

The Oscar nominee is yet to be linked to any upcoming US film projects that might prevent him attending Sydney's Candy premiere.

"It is disappointing that Heath is not coming, but he's never wavered in his support for this film," the spokeswoman said. "He is committed to promoting Candy and will be conducting all press interviews for the film via satellite and the phone."


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Sources:
Sydney Daily Telegraph
Ireland On-line
Digital Spy