Producers have announced that filming has begun again on Terry Gilliam's The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, which had been on hold after actor Heath Ledger's death on January 22.

The $30m modern-day fantasy had finished the first third of the film's shoot in the UK and was gearing up for a 40-day shoot in Vancouver at the time of Ledger's death. The adventure features Christopher Plummer as the titular traveling magician who owes the devil his teenage daughter in exchange for a life of extraordinary powers. Ledger played a new and mysterious member of the troupe.

The producers confirmed that they have the 'blessing and support of Heath Ledger's family' to continue the shoot, now based in Vancouver.

The team confirmed that Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law are joining the cast in the wake of Ledger's death.

The producers said: '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.'

Gilliam 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.'

The cast also features Christopher Plummer, Verne Troyer, Andrew Garfield, Lily Cole and Tom Waits.

Gilliam and Charles McKeown wrote the script. William Vince of Infinity Pictures, Samuel Hadida of Davis Films and Amy Gilliam are producing the UK-Canada co-production. Mandate International is handling sales.

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