The Batman, which previously shut down production after Robert Pattison reportedly tested positive for coronavirus, has restarted production. According to a Warner Bros. spokesperson, “Following a hiatus for COVID 19 quarantine precautions, filming has now resumed on The Batman in the UK."
Production on The Batman halted in London on September 3 after the studio revealed that a member of the crew had tested positive for the coronavirus. Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that lead actor Robert Pattinson had been diagnosed with COVID-19, however, Warner Bros. refused to confirm the claims.
In March, The Batman first shut down production during the coronavirus lockdown. After resuming work in late August, it stopped filming again. The film, which is scheduled to be released on October 1, 2021, follows Batman during his second year of fighting crime in Gotham as he takes on the Riddler, played by Paul Dano.
The film, directed by Matt Reeves, also stars Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle / Catwoman, Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon, Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, and Colin Farrell as Oswald "Oz" Cobblepot / Penguin. In May 2019, Pattinson, Nicholas Hoult, Armie Hammer, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson were on the shortlist to replace Ben Affleck as Batman. Reeves reportedly avoided contacting Pattison since he was known for steering clear of big-budget films.
However, in late May, both Hoult and Pattison flew to California for a screen test, and Reeves, who "wanted very specific things" for the role, ended up choosing Pattinson. Although hardcore fans were initially upset that Pattison, known for the Twilight series, had been selected for the part, a teaser trailer of The Batman released on August 22, was met with praise.
The Batman is expected to be the first of a Batman film trilogy. In November 2019, Justin Kroll and Brent Lang of Variety reported that several key cast members, including presumably Pattison, had signed on to reprise their roles in future films.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter