With more than $515 million earned domestically and the No. 2 ranking on the all-time box office earnings chart, Warner Brothers looks to add more honor to 2008’s biggest film: “The Dark Knight.” The studio announced earlier this month it will re-release the film in January 2009 to create more buzz during Academy Awards voting season, according to The Hollywood Reporter.With many critics and fans giving “The Dark Knight” an excellent rating and a DVD release set for December 2008, some say it doesn’t need to be re-released to create more buzz because the movie is so memorable. Screenwriting instructor Zachary Godshall said he thinks even though Warner Brothers probably is trying to win an Oscar, that’s probably not the only motive.”The Oscars are more of a popularity contest than a talent contest,” he said. “A lot of times the award doesn’t go to the best. Just the one that’s most hyped. But ultimately, winning an Oscar means making more money. I think they probably have both things in mind with this re-release.” Brandon Reeves, business administration graduate student, echoed Godshall’s thoughts.”Warner Brothers is a business,” Reeves said. “No business does anything for a little golden statue. Businesses do things for money. I can guarantee you someone sat down and said, ‘Let’s see if we can get more money out of this.'”At least one student said she doesn’t like the thought that Warner Brothers may just be capitalizing on late actor Heath Ledger’s performance in an attempt to get more money.”There’s always somebody out there for the money,” said Mia Hegwood, kinesiology sophomore. “But I think trying to make a profit in Ledger’s situation is wrong. I don’t think it’s fair to the family for them [Warner Brothers] to capitalize on such a great performance.”But while she said it’s wrong to capitalize, she still thinks it deserves an award.”The movie was a perfect combination of everything Batman was supposed to be— from small details, to cast, to even the little idiosyncrasies the actors brought,” Hegwood said. “But the best part about that film was Heath Ledger as the Joker. He was just too good.”Reeves said he thinks the film is worthy of an award, but he’s not a fan of the Oscar process.”The Oscars are political,” Reeves said. “You’ve gotta know how to work the system. Warner knows how. They know they’ve made a great movie, and they’re just marketing it with this re-release. I know I’ll probably go watch it again. It was just that good.”—-Contact Abraham Felix at  [email protected]