Jake Gyllenhaal will accompany his sister Maggie to pay homage to his good friend Heath Ledger at one of The Dark Knight premieres in the U.S.

The late actor’s Brokeback Mountain co-star, and godfather of Ledger's two-year-old daughter with Michelle Williams, is planning to attend one of the upcoming screening alongside his sister Maggie, who also stars in the new Batman film.

A source tells OK! magazine: "Jake is debating coming to the New York city premiere or waiting to be Maggie's date at an L.A. (Los Angeles) screening.

"He wants this to be something positive that will celebrate the role of a lifetime and a performance of which Heath was so proud."

Ledger's parents and sister are also expected to jet to New York from their home in Perth, Australia, to attend the New York premiere on 14 July.

Ledger was found dead in his New York apartment in January.