Fans divided after learning the reason why Netflix rejected sequel to beloved Heath Ledger movie

Heath Ledger fans have been left divided after learning how close they came to getting a sequel to one of his beloved films.

It's been more than 16 years now since Ledger passed away in January 2008, but his movies are truly some that have stood the test of time.

10 Things I Hate About You, Brokeback Mountain and The Dark Knight are just a few that spring to mind, but of course we can't forget about the 2001 movie A Knight's Tale.

In the film, Ledger players a medieval peasant hoping to gain glory with the help of a false identity and some intense jousting matches - and more than 20 years after its release, it continues to be a fan favorite.

"A Knight's Tale is in my Top 10 of favorite movies ever. So good," one fan wrote on X, as another added: "A Knight’s Tale is so good. Every time."

So with all the praise, could the world benefit from a sequel to the 2001 movie?

According to director Brian Helgeland, the creation of a sequel was a possibility.

Heath Ledger starred as a wannabe knight in the 2001 movie. (Columbia Pictures)

In an interview with Inverse, he explained: “I pitched it to Sony because they own the rights, and it seemed like they were interested in making it with Netflix, releasing it as a Netflix movie."

Helgeland went on to claim Netflix went as far to test the sequel idea 'through their algorithms', but unfortunately it indicated 'it would not be successful'.

"A Knight’s Tale seems to get more popular with every passing year; it’s the strangest thing," he continued.

Helgeland revealed that the creators of the movie were 'already thinking about making the sequel' after they finished filming, saying it would be a 'pirate film'.

“The plot revolved around Count Adhemar (Rufus Sewell) kidnapping Jocelyn (Shannyn Sossamon) and taking her to Constantinople," he said.

“They end up as galley slaves after their boat is captured by pirates. There’s a prisoner on the boat who has a treasure map tattooed on his back, but he keeps getting flogged for indiscipline.

Helgeland pitched a couple of ideas for the sequel. (Columbia Pictures)

"The guys volunteer to take turns getting flogged in this prisoner’s place, so the map isn’t erased. Sony didn’t want to do it."

Helgeland then continued: “The guys had an idea that William (Ledger) had passed away during a war. However, William has a teenage daughter who wants to joust, but she’s not allowed to because she’s a woman.

"She tracks down the gang and they agree to teach her how to joust, but she has to hide who she is. They cut her hair short and she speaks with a deep voice, et cetera."

After hearing the news of the potential sequel, fans had mixed responses as they faced the possibility of A Knight's Tale movie without the involvement of Ledger.

"Don’t touch anything Heath ever did. Simple," one person commented.

Another went into more detail, writing: "There is no need for a sequel, even though I’d like to see one. It’s a classic and I feel like even if Heath was still here it wouldn’t live up to the victory of William’s inner nobility being recognized by knighthood before defeating Adhemar."

However, after hearing the plot idea about William's daughter, one person responded: "That…is actually a movie I’d want to see."

So while it doesn't seem like a sequel to the movie is in the works at the moment, there could potentially be a fanbase for it in the future!