I don’t think it’s a shock to anyone that Warner Brothers isn’t too concerned about making money onn “Dark Knight” despite Ledger’s unfortunate death, but it’s still kind of creepy to think that the movie may actually get a boost in business because of it.

As the sequel to 2005 blockbuster “Batman Begins,” “The Dark Knight” already was one of this year’s most-anticipated films. Opening July 18, the film’s must-see status has only risen since Ledger died of an accidental prescription drug overdose Jan. 22.

“More people will come to see it because of his death,” said Bill Ramey, founder of the fan Web site Batman-on-Film.com. “No doubt some people may be apprehensive about seeing it because there may be a little ghoulish factor about it. But I’m betting that more people now kind of look at it as a tribute to him, and the biggest tribute you could give someone is to go see it and enjoy his performance.”

When Dean died in a car wreck in 1955, studio executives lamented “there goes the movie,” figuring audiences would be scared away from his final two films, said Wes Gehring, who teaches film at Ball State University. To the contrary: “Rebel Without a Cause” and “Giant” were huge hits.

In today’s anything-goes celebrity climate, it’s doubtful anyone in Hollywood ever felt Ledger’s death might hurt the box-office prospects for “The Dark Knight,” Gehring said.

“It’s a tacky thing to say, but what would have been a negative in the past now could be a positive thing,” Gehring said. “I think we’ve done a flip-flop on pop culture. Now it might actually be a selling point for a movie where you say, `So and so’s dead. Let’s go see his movie.’ What might have been a hindrance in 1935 now won’t be a problem.”

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