Coronavirus: The new Batman movie is still being filmed in Liverpool - despite the city's Tier 3 restrictions

Robert Pattinson's Batman stunt double has been put through his paces in Liverpool. Pic: MEGA/GC Images

With heightened COVID-19 restrictions announced for Liverpool, people may have been surprised to see part of the city transformed into Gotham for filming on the new Batman movie.

Hollywood star Robert Pattinson, who plays the Dark Knight, and an unrecognisable Colin Farrell (wearing heavy prosthetics to become comic book villain the Penguin) have been photographed in character on set.

Production on The Batman began in Glasgow earlier in 2020, but was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic. In September, it was widely reported that Pattinson had tested positive for the virus, although this was not confirmed by filmmakers Warner Bros.

Now, filming has resumed in Liverpool - in the same week it was announced that the city would be the first to be placed under strict Tier 3 restrictions, the most serious, due to a high number of COVID-19 cases.

Photographs of the production - with Gotham police cars and news vans, and Batman seen riding through the streets - have raised questions as to how filming is able to go ahead when residents are banned from socialising with other households both indoors and outdoors, including in private gardens, and bars, gyms, betting shops, casinos and pubs that do not serve meals are being closed.

A spokesman for Liverpool City Council assured residents that safety measures are being adhered to.

"The new restrictions in Liverpool will not impact on filming in the city," "The Film Office is working closely with every single production to ensure COVID-safe measures are in place and are being adhered to."
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Pattinson and the rest of the cast and crew will be adhering to strict safety measures