The Batman resumed production in the United Kingdom two weeks after Robert Pattinson allegedly tested positive for COVID-19. Filming already halted back in March due to the pandemic. The Batman was scheduled to go back into production in September, but after only three days back, reports came out that a crew member tested positive for the coronavirus. A day later, another report stated that the crew member was non other than Bruce Wayne/Batman himself, Robert Pattinson.
Variety confirmed Pattinson is clear to return to filming at Leavsden Studios, which is right outside London.
“Following a hiatus for COVID-19 quarantine precautions, filming has now resumed on The Batman in the U.K.,” a spokesperson for Warner Bros. said in a statement to Variety. The trade appropriately adds that “Pattinson’s positive test was the most high-profile example of the hazards of restarting production during the pandemic, just as Hollywood is trying to find a safe way to roll cameras on movies and television shows during the coronavirus era.”
Conflicting reports came out after Pattinson’s positive test on how the studio would move forward. Some reports stated that director Matt Reeves would shoot scenes that didn’t involve Pattinson. Other reports stated that production halted all together as crew members who came in close contact with Pattinson had to be quarantined.
Reeves and Mattson Tomlin (Project Power) co-write The Batman, which takes place around the second year of Bruce Wayne’s vigilante career. The film also stars Andy Serkis (Alfred Pennyworth), Jeffrey Wright (Commissioner Gordon), Paul Dano (Riddler), Colin Farrell (Penguin), John Turturro (Carmine Falcone), Zoë Kravitz (Catwoman), Peter Sarsgaard (Gotham DA Gil Colson), and Jayme Lawson (Bella Reál).
Only 25% of the film was shot before production initially paused, but Matt Reeves was still able to debut a trailer during DC’s virtual fan event, DC FanDome.
The Batman’s theatrical release is still on schedule for October 1, 2021. Are you looking forward to seeing Pattinson as the iconic Caped Crusader?
