"The Batman" halts production again due to coronavirus, Star Robert Pattinson reportedly tests positive for it

Looks like production on Matt Reeves' "The Batman" will have to take another break and suspend filming, as Variety reports that one of the crew working on the film tested positive for coronavirus... And it's apparently the lead and star himself Robert Pattinson.


The Batman - DC FanDome Trailer

Production for the new Batman film began early this year but had to grind to a halt after seven weeks of filming due to the pandemic. With three months left of material to shoot, the film is looking to wrap up all major filming by the end of the year. The first teaser trailer (above) premiered on the first DC FanDome event last August 22nd, and gave the world their first look at Pattinson's Bruce Wayne/ Batman in action. The footage used to make the teaser was only 25% of the movie done, and we're hoping to see the film complete and reach its release date by fall next year.

The Batman is set to be released on October 2021.

Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch take the lead in “Superman & Lois” poster

As the Corona Virus pandemic puts a halt to many things and forces business and projects to readjust plans and schedules, The CW has already revealed their new schedule for the 2020/ 2021 line-up - with much of their shows set to return and begin starting early next year. Chief among these will be the brand new “DC on the CW” program “Superman & Lois” - which is a spin-off of “Supergirl” and sees Tyler Hoechlin’s Clark Kent/ Superman and Elizabeth Tulloch’s Lois Lane reunite to spearhead their own show where the Man of Steel and his wife are taking on the task of raising two boys - all the while dealing with the usual superheroics and a return to Smallville for some Kent related business.

Here’s the official synopsis for the show from The CW:

“SUPERMAN & LOIS — In SUPERMAN & LOIS, after years of facing megalomaniacal supervillains, monsters wreaking havoc on Metropolis, and alien invaders intent on wiping out the human race, the world’s most famous superhero, The Man of Steel aka Clark Kent (Tyler Hoechlin, "Teen Wolf") and comic books’ most famous journalist, Lois Lane (Elizabeth Tulloch, "Grimm"), come face to face with one of their greatest challenges ever – dealing with all the stress, pressures and complexities that come with being working parents in today’s society. Complicating the already daunting job of raising two boys, Clark and Lois must also concern themselves with whether or not their sons Jonathan (Jordan Elsass, "Little Fires Everywhere") and Jordan (Alexander Garfin, "The Peanuts Movie") could inherit their father’s Kryptonian superpowers as they grow older.  

Returning to Smallville to handle some Kent family business, Clark and Lois are reacquainted with Lana Lang (Emmanuelle Chriqui, "Entourage"), a local loan officer who also happens to be Clark’s first love, and her Fire Chief husband Kyle Cushing (Erik Valdez, "Graceland"). The adults aren’t the only ones rediscovering old friendships in Smallville as the Kent sons are reacquainted with Lana and Kyle’s rebellious daughter, Sarah (Inde Navarrette, "Wander Darkly"). Of course, there’s never a dull moment in the life of a superhero, especially with Lois’ father, General Samuel Lane (Dylan Walsh, "Nip/Tuck") looking for Superman to vanquish a villain or save the day at a moment’s notice. Meanwhile, Superman and Lois’ return to idyllic Smallville is set to be upended when a mysterious stranger (Wolé Parks, "All American") enters their lives. Based on the characters from DC created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, SUPERMAN & LOIS is written and executive produced by Todd Helbing ("The Flash") and executive produced by Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Geoff Johns. The series is from Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.“

Superman & Lois debuts on The CW on January 2021.

DC reschedules Batman: Three Jokers #1 to August

Before the corona virus pandemic threw many plans and businesses into disarray and postponement, DC Comics was finally set to release Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok’s long awaited Batman and Joker story “Batman: Three Jokers” into the world starting with the first issue solicited for a June 2020 release. Unfortunately, those plans did not hold up and now DC Comics has confirmed in their official website that the title will now be rescheduled for release this coming August instead.

 

Adding some new artwork teases to the article, the news of the Three Jokers delay is no surprise given the decision to halt distribution of titles by Diamond Comic Distributors over a month ago w/ the pandemic concerns happening worldwide. DC and other publishers are slowly returning to distribution beginning later this month, but with that comes the inevitable rescheduling of titles - Three Jokers included. It’s a story that has been teased and brewing since DC Rebirth began and revealed to readers that more that one man is walking around as the Clown Prince of Crime, and the new three issue storyline will tell what exactly this means and it will involve Batman, Batgirl, and Red Hood - three members of the Bat Family who have been greatly affected by the Joker’s presence one way or another.

Batman: Three Jokers will now be released on August 25 in comic shops worldwide.

Batman resumes its twice monthly schedule this June; Issue #100 hits on October

With the corona virus pandemic putting a halt to a lot of businesses and practices, DC Comics is already making preparations to distribute their titles once again beginning this May. One of their flagship titles in "Batman" won't be coming back til June 9 - and when it does it will resume its  twice monthly distribution schedule.

That means issues 92 and 93 will hit within June - chronicling the events of the "Joker War" storyline and leading up to the mega-sized release of issue #100 in October. The series is helmed by writer James Tynion IV - and comes after Tom King's epic run on the book which saw The Dark Knight go through several ordeals and tests in his life - including progression in his relationship with Catwoman and his near marriage to her, and a huge battle against his nemesis Bane and his father from the Flashpoint timeline, Thomas Wayne/ Flashpoint Batman.

For more on the story - visit Newsarama for more details.

ICYMI: Comic-Con International is taking things online via "Comic-Con At Home" later this year!

You heard right! The annual worldwide mega-event that is San Diego Comic-Con was forced to cancel this year's installment due to the global pandemic that is the corona virus, but they are still committed to entertain those around the world from the comforts of their own homes by bringing #ComicConAtHome!

Yes - Comic-Con is going online and holding its convention via the interwebz. See the teaser here via the official Comic-Con Facebook page.

Sony pushes Morbius, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Uncharted, and untitled Spider-Man spinoff to 2021 due ton Corona Virus

It's an unfortunate time for those who were looking forward to some new films in 2020, as concerns over the corona virus pandemic has understandably derailed plans and delayed movies as theaters close to promote "social distancing" and communities go into quarantine/ lockdown to prevent more cases from happening. With several other studios already announcing delays of highly anticipated blockbuster films like "No Time To Die" and "Black Widow", Sony Pictures has joined in to delay the likes of "Morbius", "Ghostbusters: Afterlife", production on the "Uncharted" film as well as the untitled Spider-Man spinoff - sending them all to a 2021 release window as a result.

Read more about the story via Variety.

ICYMI: Free Comic Book Day no longer a month long celebration and has been postponed to later this year due to corona virus

With the world facing more important problems thanks to the corona virus, the annual comic book event that is "Free Comic Book Day" has been postponed to some time later this year. Announced by Diamond Comics Distributors chairman and founder Steve Geppi as well as reported by Newsarama, the initial move for the event was made to be celebrated for the whole month of May, before being reconsidered and moved "to a date later in the summer".

You can read the full statement from Diamond Comics and the details over at Newsarana,

"Black Widow" delayed until further notice due to Corona Virus

Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Natasha Romanoff who were looking forward to the long awaited "Black Widow" solo film will have to be even more patient and understanding given the trying times in the world now, as Marvel Studios made the hard yet understandable decision to delay the film's release and pull it's late April/ Early May release date from theaters. This is due to the global pandemic that is the "Corona Virus" that is forcing countries into lockdown, community quarantines, and closing businesses and productions until further notice to try and stem more people from being infected by the virus.

Other Marvel projects like the upcoming TV Shows for Disney Plus in "Falcon and the Winter Soldier", "WandaVision", and "Loki" have suspended production as well, leading to an uncertain time when these programs will resume work and get a release window.

Read up more on the story via Deadline Hollywood.