Various entertainment companies have canceled events and postponed productions due to concerns regarding the coronavirus outbreak that the World Health Organization (WHO) has labeled a pandemic. The film industry has been hit particularly hard, with films like Paramount Pictures' A Quiet Place 2 receiving "indefinite" release delays. Now, Matt Reeve's The Batman starring Robert Pattinson will be shutting down production for two weeks because of an impending shooting location change.
The Batman is currently filming in London and was planning on moving to Liverpool according to Variety, and it is unclear whether the two-week delay will affect the film's June 2021 release date. However, two other Warner Bros. productions, Matrix 4 and King Richard, have yet to be put on hiatus.
A first look at Robert Pattinson, arguably best known to general audiences as Edward Cullen from the Twilight film franchise, in the iconic Batman suit and cowl was shown off by Reeves in February, followed soon after by the reveal of his Batmobile. Other actors signed to the film are Zoe Kravitz playing Catwoman, Andy Serkis playing Alfred Pennyworth, and Jeffrey Wright playing Commissioner James Gordon.
This new take on the Caped Crusader follows the DC Extended Universe's Ben Affleck, who quit the role before receiving a solo film because of a lack of enthusiasm following 2017's Justice League. More recent DC Comics adaptations have moved into more independent spaces, so it seems likely The Batman will follow suit.
The production's delay is not the first Batman-related piece of media to be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. After E3 2020 was canceled, it was revealed that Warner Bros. planned to show off a Batman game alongside other major titles at the yearly conference.
However other games have kept the spirit of Batman alive and well. The recently revealed DLC fighter Spawn in Mortal Kombat 11 references the character as a friend, and no doubt fans are just as eager to get to know Pattinson's new rendition of the comic book superhero — as soon as the film goes back into production.
The Batman is currently set the release in theaters on June 25, 2021.
Source: Variety, World Health Organization COVID-19 Briefing