Following Warner Bros.' announcement that The Batman's production has shut down due to a COVID-19 case, a new report suggests Bruce Wayne actor Robert Pattinson has tested positive for the virus.
According to Vanity Fair, Pattinson tested positive for coronavirus, leading the studio to halt production just days after it restarted. Pattinson's representative has not yet commented, so the actor's condition is unclear at this time, but Warner Bros.' statement confirmed he is currently isolating himself to protect others.
Earlier today, Warner Bros. released a statement that explained why The Batman's production had been suspended, but it did not reveal the names of the people involved: "A member of The Batman production has tested positive for Covid-19, and is isolating in accordance with established protocols. Filming is temporarily paused." Now, this report and others indicate it refers to Pattinson.
Principal photography began in January 2020 but was forced to come to a halt in March due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Batman had been filming in Liverpool, the United Kingdom, and was given the green light to resume in July. The film had only managed to return to filming for three days before a case of COVID-19 hit the set. Director Matt Reeves reportedly has three months' worth of footage left to shoot for The Batman.
The Batman is described as a darker, grittier take on the Dark Knight's mythos. Actor Jeffrey Wright, who plays Commissioner Gordon, recently teased that The Batman will also explore the caped crusader's detective skills, which previous adaptations have seldom sought to bring to focus. Additionally, DC Films president Walter Hamada confirmed at DC FanDome that the film should no longer be considered a part of the DC Extended Universe.
The Batman is directed by Matt Reeves and co-written by Reeves and Mattson Tomlin. The film stars Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon, Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, Colin Farrell as Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin, Paul Dano as Edward Nashton/The Riddler, John Turturro as Carmine Falcone and Peter Sarsgaard as District Attorney Gil Colson. The Batman is set to be released in theaters on Oct. 1, 2021.