LOS ANGELES -- Will Oscar give Heath Ledger the last laugh?

For months the late actor's portrayal of the Joker has been the subject of Academy Awards buzz -- something that's likely to intensify if early critical and fan reaction to The Dark Knight is an indicator.

Should Ledger receive a posthumous best supporting actor nomination, he will be among rarefied company: James Dean, Spencer Tracy, Peter Finch and Massimo Troisi. Only Finch won for 1976's Network.

Ledger's co-star Gary Oldman believes he should -- and will -- be recognized.

"The Academy tends to overlook movies like this ... But in this case, the acting is so good, the performance is so good, it's going to be very hard to avoid it. So he could be (nominated)."

Says Christian Bale, whose caped crusader faces off in a bruising battle of wits and willpower against Ledger's malevolent mastermind, "It's wonderful people are recognizing that. Regardless of if it ever comes to fruition, (director Chris Nolan) has created in this movie the possibility that people are talking about accolades for an actor in a superhero action genre movie. Usually that's never even considered ... (Heath) has raised the bar completely with that. He was absolutely committed. I enjoyed working with him immensely."

Ledger previously received a best actor nomination for 2005's Brokeback Mountain.