Robert Pattinson cut a sombre figure as filming continued for The Batman at Liverpool’s St George’s Hall, despite the city entering the highest tier of lockdown on Wednesday.
The actor, 34, donned a black suit and a matching face mask as his character Bruce Wayne attended the funeral of Gotham’s mayor, joined by co-star Zoe Kravitz, who plays the villainous Catwoman.
Filming for The Batman has continued this week despite furious backlash from locals as the city became the first in the UK to reach the COVID-19 alert level of ‘very high,’ meaning pubs and restaurants would close and households are banned from mixing.
Moving: Robert Pattinson, 34, cut a sombre figure as filming continued for the big-budget DC blockbuster The Batman with his co-star Zoe Kravitz (right) at Liverpool’s St George’s Hall, despite the city entering the highest tier of lockdown
Robert transformed into the role of millionaire Bruce Wayne as he arrived to attend the mayor’s funeral along with swathes of mourners.
Much of the cast and crew donned face masks between scenes to prevent any further spread of COVID-19 after production was shut down last month when star Robert tested positive.
Robert filmed his entrance into the City Hall for the moving service, briefly pausing to observe the piles of flowers that had been laid in the Mayor’s honour.
Back to work: The actor, 34, donned a black suit and a matching face mask as Bruce Wayne attended the funeral of Gotham’s mayor, with the film set to document his early days as the Caped Crusader in the crime-ridden city
Sad: Robert transformed into the role of millionaire Bruce Wayne as he arrived to attend the mayor’s funeral along with swathes of mourners
Important: At one point he appeared deep in conversation with another mourner as they arrived for the funeral, which was being filmed at Liverpool’s St George’s Hall
Villainous: Once again Colin Farrell was also spotted on-set looking worlds away from his smouldering appearance, donning heavy makeup to play Oswald ‘Oz’ Cobblepot / Penguin
Pensive: Robert appeared distressed while in character for the scenes as Bruce arrived at the hall to attend the funeral
The decision for The Batman to continue filming has sparked furious backlash from Liverpudlians who have been plunged into a relative lockdown by new COVID-19 restrictions with many questioning how work on a multi-million blockbuster can continue.
Taking to social media, one wrote: ‘There were hundreds in Liverpool today filming the new Batman movie, no masks, no social distancing; this is perfectly acceptable yet we can’t get married, go to a funeral or visit a relative in a care home!’
Another frustrated local questioned: ‘Wonder if they’ll stop filming Batman (with their hundreds of extras in Liverpool now it’s in tier 3 lockdown…or is it just small businesses affected?’
A third added: ‘They shouldn’t be there in the first place. We’re in tier 3 lockdown so if the government want us to follow the rules Hollywood actors and the crew should also be following the rules and technically shouldn’t be filming in Liverpool whilst in lockdown. Batman can suck it.’
Grand entrance: For the scenes Robert emerged from his lavish car to make his arrival for the funeral. The film takes place during the millionaire’s early days as The Caped Crusader
Shocking: Filming for The Batman has continued this week despite furious backlash from locals as the city became the first in the UK to reach the COVID-19 alert level of ‘very high’ after a surge in cases
Raging: Many have questioned how work on the film can continue, given production involves a crew and cast of more than 100 with little social distancing
It’s fine! Guidance on the government website explaining the changes does not directly reference the film industry, only advising ‘closing performing arts venues for the purposes of performing to audiences’
The show must go on! While bosses could not comment on The Batman specifically, a spokeswoman for Liverpool City Council insisted the show must go on in terms of filming generally
Boris Johnson announced on Monday that Liverpool had reached a local Covid alert level of ‘very high’, with a number of rules designed to limit further spread of the virus coming into force on Wednesday (14th October).
Guidance on the government website explaining the changes does not directly reference the film industry, only advising ‘closing performing arts venues for the purposes of performing to audiences’, suggesting no concerns over filming for projects such as Matt Reeves’ £100million blockbuster.
While bosses could not comment on The Batman specifically, a spokeswoman for Liverpool City Council insisted the show must go on in terms of filming generally, despite concerns from locals and suggestions of hypocrisy when dozens of other workplaces are being ordered to close.
Keeping them safe: She told MailOnline: ‘The new restrictions in Liverpool will not impact on filming in the city. The Film Office are working closely with every single production to ensure COVID-safe measures are in place and are being adhered’
Bad: Elsewhere Piers Morgan took to Twitter to slam Liverpudlians, after footage emerged of crowds partying in the city’s streets the night before pubs were being ordered to close
Strict: The new rules mean people will only be allowed out of ‘Tier Three’ areas for essential travel such as for work, education or health, and must return before the end of the day
Big production: Filming for the £100million movie is expected to last around a week with roughly 100 actors and crew sticking to strict quarantining rules
What’s going on? For the scenes a vast National Response jeep was brought onto the set, hinting at a strong police presence for the funeral
Hard to miss: The enormous prop was hard to miss as it was driven into the city centre for the lavish production
Bring in the army: Gotham’s Police appeared to be ready and waiting throughout the funeral, hinting there could be trouble on the horizon
She told MailOnline: ‘The new restrictions in Liverpool will not impact on filming in the city. The Film Office are working closely with every single production to ensure COVID-safe measures are in place and are being adhered.’
The new rules mean people will only be allowed out of ‘Tier Three’ areas for essential travel such as for work, education or health, and must return before the end of the day – although the rules will be guidance rather than legally enforced.
They cannot mix with other households in gardens, but can in outdoor public spaces subject to the Rule of Six.
Back to work: It was revealed last week that filming had started on the highly anticipated film, after the cinema release date was delayed until 2022 due to fears over the novel coronavirus pandemic
Scary: Robert joins a star-studded cast for the dark comic book blockbuster, including Colin as The Penguin, Zoe as Catwoman, alongside Geoffrey Wright as Commissioner Gordon and Paul Dano as Edward Nashton/ The Riddler
New location: Before relocating to Liverpool to shoot for the blockbuster, production workers were working in the relatively low risk COVID-19 area of Leavesden in Hertfordshire
Elsewhere Piers Morgan took to Twitter to slam Liverpudlians, after footage emerged of crowds partying in the city’s streets the night before pubs were being ordered to close.
He wrote: ‘Absolutely disgraceful scenes in Liverpool, which already has 2nd worst coronavirus infection rate in Europe. Imagine how health workers in the city must feel watching this?’
It was revealed last week that filming had started on the highly anticipated film, after the cinema release date was delayed until 2022 due to fears over the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Warner Bros. vans were spotted in the city centre as workmen hauled props into St George’s Hall.
Catastrophic: The Batman is the latest blockbuster to be delayed because of coronavirus, raising fresh doubts over the future of hundreds of UK cinemas
A long wait: Last Monday, Warner Brothers said it would push back the release of the superhero epic, starring Twilight actor Robert, from October 2021 until March 2022
Filming for the £100million movie is expected to last around a week with roughly 100 actors and crew sticking to strict quarantining rules.
Colin Farrell is set to take on the villainous role of The Penguin, while Zoe Kravitz stars as Catwoman, alongside Geoffrey Wright as Commissioner Gordon and Paul Dano as Edward Nashton/ The Riddler.
And while many fans marvelled at director Matt Reeves’ interpretation of the iconic comic book franchise with a dark, gritty look and ominous tone, others couldn’t stop praising Colin’s transformation into the Penguin with prosthetics and make-up.
Before relocating to Liverpool to shoot for the blockbuster, production workers were working in the relatively low risk COVID-19 area of Leavesden in Hertfordshire.
The Batman is the latest blockbuster to be delayed because of coronavirus, raising fresh doubts over the future of hundreds of UK cinemas.
Last Monday, Warner Brothers said it would push back the release of the superhero epic, starring Twilight actor Robert, from October 2021 until March 2022, after the company’s other blockbuster Dune was delayed from December 2020 to October the following year.
More delays? It came after the company’s other blockbuster Dune was delayed from December 2020 to October the following year