Robert Pattinson tests positive for COVID-19

Production on The Batman has only been back for about a week, and already its lead actor, Robert Pattinson, has reportedly tested positive for coronavirus. Because apparently even superheroes aren’t protected against this awful virus.News of Pattinson’s apparent diagnosis came on September 3 after the cast and crew had resumed production on the highly anticipated film eight days ago in London. Regular COVID-19 testing is pretty much mandatory on sets that have reopened during the pandemic, although The Batman is one of the first major films to get going again in England. That means industry insiders will probably be paying extra close attention to how things shake out in the next few days. Production was halted for the second time (after being down for months when the pandemic first hit in March) shortly after the test came back positive.Vanity Fair first reported the news of Pattinson contracting the virus, although other publications had also reported that a member of the production team had it. Warner Bros. later confirmed an unnamed person contracted it, and that the person in question is currently isolating as per protocols. According to Variety, Pattinson is now self-isolating for 14 days and production will reportedly resume without him. During that time, director Matt Reeves will try to finish as much as he can without the star, including scenes with Pattinson's body double.So far, Pattinson and his reps have declined to comment, but it was just in August that the Batman star showed up at DC Comics’ FanDome event to virtually hype up the new movie, help introduce the hot new trailer, and say a few words."As many of you probably already know, we were in the beginning stages of production when COVID hit, so now I'm very anxious to get back to work and continue to form this beloved character," Pattinson, who spent his time in quarantine perfecting “fast-food pasta,” said. "I've always been a massive fan."The Batman isn’t the first film or TV production that has had to stop production since resuming because of a positive COVID-19 test. In August four crew members on Jurassic World tested positive in Malta, but they quarantined and no one became seriously sick. Shooting on Canadian series Hudson & Rex was also shut down for one day in August after two people contracted the virus.This isn’t even the first case of COVID-19 on The Batman set either. In April, Andrew Jack, a 76-year-old dialect coach and actor that was working on the film before production halted, contracted coronavirus and passed away. At the time, director Reeves tweeted that the cast and crew were heartbroken over the loss.The Batman stars Pattinson as the famous Dark Knight, Zoe Kravitz as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, Colin Farrell as Oswald Cobblepot/Penguin, Paul Dano as Edward Nashton/The Riddler, Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, John Turturro as Carmine Falcone, and Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon. The movie was originally supposed to hit theatres in June 2021, but following the production delays it is now eyeing an October 2021 release.[video_embed id='5686308069001']Before you go: Cute baby bat really loves getting brushed[/video_embed]