UPDATE: Vanity Fair reported star Robert Pattinson tested positive for coronavirus, just three days into filming.
Once again, coronavirus stops the Caped Crusader. The Batman suspended filming in the United Kingdom after a crew member tested positive for the virus.
“A member of The Batman production has tested positive for COVID-19 and is isolating in accordance with established protocols,” read a statement from Warner Bros. “Filming is temporarily paused.”
At this time, we don’t know how long The Batman production will be delayed. It likely depends on if anyone else tests positive for coronavirus. Meanwhile, it seems safe to assume the cast and crew will undergo quarantine for a certain amount of time.
The film announced just a few weeks ago production planned to resume in September. Clearly, the movie can’t have made too much progress into their new schedule.
The Batman was only about seven weeks into filming when the pandemic forced a production halt. According to Variety, the film still needs to shoot about three months worth of material. Warner Bros. hopes to accomplish this by the end of the year.
After COVID-19 delayed the production the first time, Warner Bros. announced a new release date for The Batman. If delays continue, it’s unclear if the studio will be able to make the proposed October 1, 2021 release.
Many projects halted production amid the pandemic, but very few big blockbusters have resumed filming. Jurassic World: Dominion became the first major studio film to go back to set amid increased COVID-19 safety procedures.
The Batman stars Robert Pattinson. A trailer for the film recently dropped during DC FanDome. You can watch it below.
Director Matt Reeves also revealed at FanDome that the film takes place during Batman’s second year in Gotham.
Source: Variety