The Batman has had to shut down production once again. As reported by Deadline, Robert Pattinson, who is set to star in the lead role as our new Bruce Wayne, has tested positive for COVID-19. Initial reports indicated that a member of the crew had tested positive after filming got back underway recently in the U.K. It was later revealed to be Pattinson.
“We’re still in the middle of investigating what is the situation. We’re pausing temporarily for now until we have more information, but we have all the protocols set up to do contact tracing and hopefully get back up into production very soon,” WarnerMedia Studios & Networks Boss Ann Sarnoff said.
“A member of The Batman production has tested positive for Covid-19, and is isolating in accordance with established protocols. Filming is temporarily paused,” a Warner Bros. spokesperson said when the news first broke.
Production on the highly-anticipated DC Comics adaptation initially began earlier this year but had to shut down in March after roughly 25 percent of filming was complete. Production was able to begin again recently but there is still great risk involved, as evidenced by Pattinson’s contraction of the disease.
Various major blockbusters have begun filming again in recent weeks with strict safety measures in place. Jurassic World: Dominion and The Matrix 4 have also gotten cameras rolling. Despite the strict measures issues have come up. Crew members on Jurassic World: Dominion also tested positive for coronavirus recently.
There is no telling right now how long the production will be shut down for. It also isn’t clear if this will have any long term effects on the production schedule, or if that will ultimately delay the planned release date.
Matt Reeves is directing the movie from a script he co-wrote with Mattson Tomlin. The cast includes Zoe Kravitz, Jeffrey Wright, John Turturro, Colin Farrell, Paul Dano, Andy Serkis and Peter Sarsgaard.
During DC FanDome Reeves finally opened up in terms of what to expect from the movie. Reeves confirmed that it will take place during year two of Bruce Wayne’s career as a crime fighter in Gotham City. A full teaser trailer was also revealed, even though only roughly a quarter of the movie had been shot. It revealed that Dano’s Riddler will be the main villain.
The Batman is currently set to hit theaters on October 1, 2021.
So what do you think? Should Warner Bros. press on with production? Are they handling this the right way? Join in on the conversation over on Facebook or Twitter.
