Warner Bros Chief Talks About 'Batman' Production After Robert Pattinson’s COVID-19 Diagnosis

A recent report claimed that filming for Matt Reeves’ highly-anticipated movie “The Batman” was halted after Robert Pattinson tested positive for COVID-19. No official confirmation has come from Warner Bros. if Pattinson has indeed contracted the disease, but Ann Sarnoff, CEO of the entertainment company, has opened up about the plans they have prepared if someone from the cast gets infected.

Speaking in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the 58-year-old TV executive opened up about the contingency plans they have prepared to tackle such situations. When asked if she has changed her mind about resuming production after what happened with “The Batman,” Sarnoff said that they are ready to face challenges.

Sarnoff also noted that the company understands that things won’t go “smoothly” while shooting and they already have their protocols set.

She also explained the method that they use to deal with such situations.

“I think we never expected things to go completely smoothly. In fact, as we’ve been getting our protocols ready, we built-in contingencies. If someone tests positive, you do contact tracing, you pause, you evaluate, and come back when you can. I think it would have been naïve to think we wouldn’t have certain cases on certain productions. The most important thing is to be ready for when that happens. And we were very much ready,” THR quoted Sarnoff, as saying.

Meanwhile, she also did not reveal the identity of the person who was infected with the life-threatening disease and said they have to protect “people’s privacy.”

“I won’t comment on specifics. We have to protect people’s privacy,” Sarnoff told the publication.

Vanity Fair first reported that the “Twilight” star allegedly contracted the disease due to which production had to be put on hold.

The film also stars Colin Farrell, Paul Dano, Jeffrey Wright, Andy Serkis, and Zoe Kravitz in pivotal roles.

During the same interview, Sarnoff also made it clear that the production giant has no plans of releasing “Wonder Woman 1984” via premium video-on-demand (PVoD). She believes movies like “WW84” are made for the “big screens.”

“For now, it is where it is. Like I said earlier, certain movies deserve to be on the big screen. My belief is ‘Wonder Woman' is one of those,” Sarnoff told the media outlet.

Helmed by Patty Jenkins, “Wonder Woman 1984” stars Gal Gadot in the titular character while Pedro Pascal, Kristen Wiig, and Chris Pine have pivotal roles.

The film is scheduled to hit theaters on Oct. 2, 2020.