Michael Caine Predicts Heath Ledger Will Get an Oscar Nod

By Eunice Oh

07/11/2008 at 06:25 PM EDT

Heath Ledger's legacy will live on not only in a theatre in his hometown of Perth – but possibly through an Oscar nomination, according to one his Dark Knight costars.

"I think Heath will surely get a posthumous nomination for an Academy Award," Michael Caine said Friday at Grauman's Chinese Theatre, where the legendary actor was honored in a hand and footprint ceremony.

"He was incredible [and] he was amazing,” said Caine, 75. "And I think he will get it. It's an incredible performance, just wonderful."

Caine reprises his role as butler Alfred Pennyworth in the upcoming Batman film, which pays a special tribute to Ledger during the movie's closing credits.

Caine isn't the only person raving about Ledger's performance as The Joker. "[For] those who knew him and those who had the privilege of working with him, it's been pretty amazing, the disparity between the person he was and the monster that he created for us," the film's director Christopher Nolan said at a press day in June. "To see that being created from this very gentle person is a real testament to his skill as an actor."