Filming of The Batman has been paused as lead actor Robert Pattinson ‘tests positive for coronavirus’

A spokesperson for Warner Brothers has confirmed that confirmed that “filming is temporarily paused.” (Warner Bros)A spokesperson for Warner Brothers has confirmed that confirmed that “filming is temporarily paused.” (Warner Bros)
A spokesperson for Warner Brothers has confirmed that confirmed that “filming is temporarily paused.” (Warner Bros)

Robert Pattinson has reportedly tested positive for Covid-19, causing filming for the upcoming Batman film to pause.

It comes just days after filming had resumed following lockdown.

Several US media outlets have claimed that Pattinson (Twilight, Harry Potter) was the cause of the temporary halt in filming, with Variety and Vanity Fair both quoting unnamed sources with links to the production.

'Filming is temporarily paused'

A spokesperson for Warner Bros confirmed a member of The Batman's production team was self-isolating, however it was not clear whether this was the lead actor.

The spokesperson revealed: “A member of The Batman production has tested positive for Covid-19, and is isolating in accordance with established protocols.

They confirmed that “filming is temporarily paused”.

Previous filming delays

The film was initially due for release in June 2021 but was delayed to 1 October 2021.

The new rendition of the popular superhero tale, which will see the 34-year-old British actor in the role of the caped crusader, had only recently resumed its newly adjusted filming schedule following a six-month hiatus.

Filming began in Glasgow earlier this year but was halted due to the pandemic.

It then returned with the production team briefly filming scenes in London before it was called off once more due to news of the infected party.

Who else will star in the film?

Directed by Matt Reeves, the film will also star Zoe Kravitz (Fantastic Beasts) as Catwoman, Andy Serkis (Lord of The Rings) as Alfred Pennyworth and Jeffrey Wright (Westworld) as Gotham City’s police chief Commissioner Gordon.

By securing the titular role, Pattinson will be following in the footsteps of Christian Bale, Ben Affleck, Val Kilmer, Michael Keaton and George Clooney, who have all been cast as the Dark Knight in previous films.

A trailer for the film was released last month, appearing on Youtube on 22 August, and revealing a glimpse of the Twilight actor’s debut as an even more melancholic, brooding version of Bruce Wayne than seen before.

The trailer also reveals the new rendition of super-villain, the Penguin, played by an unrecognisable Colin Farrell in heavy facial prosthetics.

What was the response to the trailer?

Warner Bros posted the trailer to their Twitter account, receiving nearly half a million likes on the post.

Fans were divided by the trailer and the choice of the lead actor.

One user commented that he wasn't convinced Pattinson could surpass the performance by his predecessor Christian Bale, writing "Don't think Robert Pattinson is going to work as Batman."

"I mean it's always going to be hard for anyone to top Christian Bale, who just IS Batman imo but this trailer looks weak. Hopefully it proves me wrong but I'm not so sure!"

Another user agreed with this sentiment saying, "Surely they could have chosen someone else more suited to play Batman than Robert Pattinson."
"It doesn't sit right him being Batman. I'm not saying he'll do a bad job, but he hasn't got the look or attributes for such a character".
However, another user had different views, writing "The Batman is going to be a masterpiece."
While another weighed in with a more even-tempered approach, writing "I'll reserve judgement until after I see it, mainly because the same thing has been said about literally every Bats movie in the past."

"People hated the idea of Bale. People hated the idea of Affleck. People hated the idea of both Phoenix and Ledger as Joker."