A big-budget international copro handled by Vancouver’s Infinity Features has been put on hold following the death of the movie’s star Heath Ledger.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus was scheduled to begin production this week at Vancouver’s Bridge Studios, following a recent shoot in and around London. Filming in B.C. was to continue through to March 8.

Ledger’s death has put a cloud over the production. A spokesperson at Infinity confirmed that the film is currently on hold and indicated that producer William Vince is not speaking to the media at this time.

The movie, directed by Terry Gilliam, is reported to be budgeted at around $30 million. The producers are Vince (Capote), Samuel Hadida (Silent Hill, the Resident Evils) of Paris-based Davis Films and Gilliam’s daughter Amy Gilliam (Push).

Written by Gilliam and Charles McKeown, Imaginarium is a fantasy-adventure about a traveling theater troupe, with Ledger playing a new and mysterious member. The ensemble cast includes Christopher Plummer, Tom Waits, Lily Cole, Verne Troyer and Andrew Garfield.

Ledger was found dead in his New York apartment on Tuesday. The 28-year-old Australian star was nominated for an Oscar for his role in the Alberta-shot Brokeback Mountain, and recently wrapped The Dark Knight, the sequel to Batman Begins, in which he plays arch-villain The Joker.