A scene showing the late actor Heath Ledger in a body bag could be cut from the new Batman film, it has been reported.

Contactmusic.com reported the scene, showing Ledger playing dead in a body bag, left test audiences stunned and movie studio Warner Brothers is considering leaving it on the cutting room floor.

An internet critic who claimed to have a source in the test audience said: "It caused adverse reactions in the audience, for obvious reasons. It will possibly be cut."

Ledger, who died in New York in January, plays The Joker in The Dark Knight, scheduled for release in New Zealand on July 17.

The critic also said Ledger delivered one of his best performances yet.

"It will be a great success. The gadgets ... are crazy and Heath Ledger delivered. (He) got himself into the role and it's unrecognisable.

"There will be no other Joker after him."

Warner Brothers were unavailable for comment, Contactmusic reported.

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