Coronavirus is again plaguing ‘The Batman’

Production on the hotly anticipated Warner Bros. film “The Batman” has been shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic for the second time this year, after reports say a key cast member tested positive for the disease.

Vanity Fair and The Hollywood Reporter reported Thursday that the film’s star, Robert Pattinson, had tested positive for COVID-19. Neither Warner Bros. nor Pattinson’s representatives have confirmed the reports.

Warner Bros. reported that “a member of ‘The Batman’ production has tested positive for Covid-19, and is isolating in accordance with established protocols.” The studio also said “filming is temporarily paused.”

As with numerous other films and TV shows, production on “The Batman” was originally shut down in March with the onset of lockdowns due to the pandemic. Sources told Vanity Fair that the 34-yearold “Twilight” star had contracted the coronavirus, which, if true, would make him the second Hollywood A-lister in two days to be identified as testing positive.

On Wednesday, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson announced on Instagram that he and his family had recently tested positive for the coronavirus. Johnson, 48, said he and his family had been infected about two and a half weeks ago, from “very close family friends.” He called it “one of the most challenging and difficult things we have ever had to endure as a family,” but added that he and his family were now “on the other end of it” and were healthy and no longer contagious.

No information was available on whether Pattinson had any symptoms of the virus, but a positive test would mean that he needs to quarantine for two weeks, the Daily Mail said. Production for the $180 million blockbuster was thrown “into chaos” after the cast and crew were sent home, the Daily Mail reported.

The shutdown is likely to cost the studio hundreds of thousands of dollars and could further delay release of the film, which is scheduled to premiere in October 2021, the Daily Mail said.

In the film, Pattinson plays Bruce Wayne, who moonlights as the caped crusader.

KIMBERLY YHITE GETTY IMAGES ProduCtion of “The BAtmAn” hAs onCe AgAin stAlled BeCAuse of the pAndemiC. Reports sAy thAt RoBert PAttinson, ho plAys BAtmAn, hAs tested positi/e for COWID-19.