Heath Ledger's unfinished role in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is to be completed by Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law, the director confirmed today.

Terry Gilliam announced in a statement that the trio of A-list actors would share the role of Tony so that the performance of Ledger, who died while shooting the film, could be retained.

Gilliam, who also worked with Ledger on The Brothers Grimm, said: "I am grateful to Johnny, Colin and Jude for coming on board and to everyone else who has made it possible for us to finish the film.

"I am delighted that Heath's brilliant performance can be shared with the world.

"We are looking forward to finishing the movie and, through the film, with a modicum of humility, being able to touch people's hearts and souls as Heath was able to do."

Initially, it was thought the movie would be finished using computer-generated imagery, but today the producers explained that the fantasy film allowed for Tony to be played by different actors.

"Since the format of the story allows for the preservation of his entire performance, at no point will Heath's work be modified or altered through the use of digital technology. Each of the parts played by Johnny, Colin and Jude is representative of the many aspects of the character that Heath was playing."

The project is going ahead with the blessing and support of Ledger's family, the producers added.

Filming has resumed in Vancouver, Canada, and the movie is likely to be released early next year.

Another Ledger film, The Dark Knight, is due for release later this year.

Ledger died on January 22 from an accidental prescription drug overdose. He had just finished shooting a third of The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus in London and was about to head to Vancouver to begin a 40-day shoot.

The actor, who received an Oscar-nomination for his role in Brokeback Mountain, was found in his New York apartment by his housekeeper and a masseuse.

He left a two-year-old daughter, Matilda, by his former fiancée, actress Michelle Williams.

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