First official photo Batman villian from The Dark Knight Rises

[Scoot26]

Maybe if Ledger was still alive they would have brought him back for a cameo like they did with the Scarecrow in The Dark Knight.

The rumor was that Nolan had planned to use the Joker again in the next movie. I don't know to what extent, but it did sound like more than just a cameo. That all went out the door with Ledger's death though.