The Witcher, The Batman and more on track to resume filming in the UK

As the world slowly begins to re-open its doors for business, film and TV professionals forced to halt production thanks to the coronavirus global pandemic are now preparing to return to work.

We’ve already heard that movies like Avatar 2 are getting back up and running in New Zealand. Over the weekend, the United Kingdom approved a plan or production on movies and TV shows to start up again as early as July. According to The Guardian, the plan — which includes guidelines on social distancing, administrating temperature tests and the implementation of safety training — will be a welcome boon to freelance film and TV workers who’ve been ineligible to receive financial support from their government.

“We’ve worked hard to support the industry through these difficult times and I’m delighted we’ve been able to agree this step forward towards getting the cameras rolling safely again,” said culture secretary Oliver Dowden.

A source for The Guardian pointed out that time is of the essence for some of these productions, since if they don’t film in the summer months they’ll miss their window and may have to put shooting off for another year, or make other arrangements.

There are several big-name productions filming in the UK that could stand to benefit from this news, many of them Warner Bros. properties. They include The Batman, starring Robert Pattinson in the titular role; as as the third Fantastic Beasts. Disney’s live-action Little Mermaid movie and the second season of Netflix’s The Witcher are also expected to resume production in the area soon.

Meanwhile, theaters are hoping to reopen soon, as well. Cineworld — the world’s second-largest theater chain behind AMC — is aiming to open its doors in July, just in time to show movies like Christopher Nolan’s trippy-looking spy film Tenet (July 17), as well as Disney’s long-awaited live-action Mulan movie (July 24).

A spokesperson for Cineworld acknowledged the movie-going experience will be different once their doors are open: social distancing and hygiene guidelines will have to be closely observed. “Cineworld has put in place procedures to ensure a safe and enjoyable cinema experience for its employees and customers.”

Whatever the re-opening of the entertainment world looks like, we hope everyone follows the rules and stays safe.

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