Warner Bros. is planning a re-release of Dark Knight in January as a way to keep the film in the minds of Academy Award voters during voting season, according to Hollywood Reporter.  Although that will be after the DVD release in December, studio execs apparently believe that the film can do enough business to keep theater execs happy and gain some extra publicity and visibility for the film.  At this point, the release is planned for Imax theaters only, although a general re-release is still possible. 

The late Heath Ledger’s final performance, as the Joker, is probably the film’s best shot for an Oscar, but Hollywood has a high degree of respect for a hit so others are definitely possible.  A final turn in the theaters is Warner’s way of giving the film its best shot at that result.