Matt Reeves’ The Batman, whose recent gritty, atmospheric trailer has plenty of comic book and DC Cinematic Universe fans buzzing with excitement, only recently resumed filming after going on hiatus 5 1/2 months ago. Unfortunately, another Batarang has been thrown into the works, as production has once again been put on hold after one of the crew members (subsequently revealed to be Batman/Bruce Wayne actor Robert Pattinson) tested positive for COVID-19.
“A member of The Batman production has tested positive for Covid-19, and is isolating in accordance with established protocols. Filming is temporarily paused,” Warner Bros. said in an official statement about the situation. Sources at The Batman set have revealed that the entirety of the cast and crew has been sent home after the news was discovered.
“Everyone was talking on the set about it. We do not know who has tested positive, but it has caused chaos to the schedule,” said an inside source to The Daily Mail at the Leavesden, Hertfordshire, England filming location.
“Everyone was looking forward to getting back to work and its come as a blow that production has stopped just three days after we began filming,” the cast member continued. “We have all been told to stand down until further notice and we are not expecting to be back filming for at least two weeks.”
The shutdown will reportedly cost Warner Bros. Studios hundreds of thousands of dollars and potentially delay the October 1st, 2021 release date, although that depends on how quickly Reeves and crew are able to recuperate from this particular shutdown.
Update: According to a report from Vanity Fair, Robert Pattinson is the cast member who tested positive for COVID-19.
The Batman will feature Robert Pattinson (Twilight, Lighthouse) as the eponymous hero and Bruce Wayne; Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman/Selina Kyle; Paul Dano as The Riddler; Jeffrey Wright as Commissioner Jim Gordon; John Turturro as Carmine Falcon and Colin Farrell as the Penguin.
What do you think of The Batman production halting after a case of COVID-19 on set? Let us know in the comments.