Batman star Robert Pattinson pushed to breaking point by ‘control freak’ director Matt Reeves
NEW Batman actor Robert Pattinson is battling a Joker behind the scenes while making the Caped Crusader’s new movie. The Hollywood hunk, who is taking over from Ben Affleck as the iconic superhero for The Batman, has been pushed to breaking point by “control freak” director Matt Reeves, those on set have told me. Insiders […]
NEW Batman actor Robert Pattinson is battling a Joker behind the scenes while making the Caped Crusader’s new movie.
The Hollywood hunk, who is taking over from Ben Affleck as the iconic superhero for The Batman, has been pushed to breaking point by “control freak” director Matt Reeves, those on set have told me.
Insiders say New York-born Matt has forced Twilight star Robert to do upwards of 50 takes inside the bulky Batman suit, leaving him, and the crew, exhausted.
My source said: “Filming has been a gruelling process, especially for Robert, as Matt is such a perfectionist.
“He’ll insist on doing scenes over and over again and get bogged down in the tiny detail. Sometimes it’s like he doesn’t know when to stop.”
Matt directed Cloverfield in 2008, 2014’s Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes and its 2017 sequel War For The Planet Of The Apes.
The source continued: “Matt has done blockbusters before, but this is another level.
“Batman is arguably the most popular superhero of all and by the time the film is released it will be the Dark Knight’s first solo movie in ten years.
“Warner Bros can’t afford for the fanbase to be disappointed and have thrown £90million at the film. No one is denying that this is a high stakes production and that Matt is feeling the pressure to get it right.
“But Robert has had a tough time on these franchise movies before. He hated Twilight by the time it wrapped, and the last thing anyone wants is for him to become jaded.”
The Batman, with Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman and Colin Farrell as The Penguin, has suffered multiple issues due to the Covid crisis, forcing its release to be pushed back five months to March 4, 2022.
Production was scrapped in March this year after the pandemic took hold and again in September after R-Patz reportedly caught the virus.
The Sun revealed last month that the film’s stunt team had also been forced into self-isolation after another positive test.
An insider said: “All these setbacks have made Matt paranoid about catching Covid.
“It’s got to the point now where he’s been directing scenes while zipped up inside a puffa coat and with ski goggles on.
“As a Covid-secure outfit, it’s questionable. But if it makes him feel more at ease, everyone’s going with it.”
Let’s face it, he’s a cape and cowl away from having the silliest costume on set.
Alex’s thighs and lows
ALEXANDRA Burke wowed fans in this Burberry print dress with a slit down the side.
It was one of the looks the singer posted on Instagram as her highlights from the past 12 months.
It’s not been an easy year for The X Factor 2008 winner.
In October she split from her boyfriend, Rotherham United defender Angus MacDonald, due to the pressure of lockdown.
A friend said: “They have very busy schedules and, coupled with lockdown, it became incredibly tough for them to spend time together. It was totally amicable.”
I’m sure it won’t be long until Alexandra is off the market again.
Anne’s ol pal
SHE might be the new girl on the panel but Emma Willis has revealed pop star Anne-Marie is already feeling at home on The Voice UK panel.
The Birthday singer stepped in for pregnant Meghan Trainor, who is taking a break.
In an exclusive chat ahead of the new series starting on Saturday, host Emma said: “Anne-Marie is so fab. I love how down-to-earth she is. You just want to go to the pub with her.
“She has collaborated with so many amazing people and she’s still so young as well.”
Anne-Marie joins Sir Tom Jones, Will.i.am and Olly Murs as a coach – and it is the Dear Darlin’ hitmaker she has bonded with the most.
Emma explained: “Her and Olly are very similar in their personality.
“They get on really well. He is a double champion of the show and she was quite nervous at the beginning.
“They knew each other from before. Her nerves did go away and you’ll see as the series goes on she gets more comfortable.”
I’m looking forward to seeing her on screen.
Joss aim to ape Gorillaz
SHE is a household name but Joss Stone was desperate not to be.
She wanted to be like cartoon band Gorillaz and envies Sia, who performs with her face hidden.
Joss said: “I said to Steve Greenberg, who signed me when I was 14, ‘Steve, if we’re gonna do music videos, can we just do a cartoon like the Gorillaz so nobody knows what I look like?’.
“And he said, ‘I didn’t sign you to hide you’.”
She told the Castaway podcast: “How jealous am I of Sia?”
Joss, who in 2011 was targeted by two men who conspired to rob and kill her, added: “If you put yourself out there in that way then guess what?
“They’re gonna know what you look like and they might follow you and try to kill you, and they might call you all the names under the sun.
“Or they might fall in love with you and buy you flowers and turn up.”
J-Lo is fur out
it’s not just the UK that is experiencing freezing temperatures – Jennifer Lopez had to wrap up warm while out in New York.
She was unrecognisable in a green tracksuit with furry gilet, pairing them with oversized sunglasses and a face mask.
The Jenny From The Block singer was in the Big Apple ahead of a New Year’s Eve performance for the city’s annual Rockin’ Eve.
J-Lo gave fans a late Christmas present at the weekend, dropping a video for festive classic It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year.
An Xmas bonus for Sam
SAM Bailey started her singing career early – belting out carols for big money as a child.
The 2013 X Factor winner revealed her brothers made sure she used her vocal talents when they were kids.
Sam, who recorded a charity cover of the Shakin’ Stevens classic Merry Christmas Everyone with supergroup The Celebs, said: “I used to earn a lot of money carolling.
“I used to go with my brothers and must have earned 90 quid a night. I was only ten.
“We’d do it all the time. We’d have competitions to see who would earn the most.
“It’s a dying art now. People just think you’re out there to rob your car.”
I bet every Christmas was merry in their house.
It’s a rum do for Shaggy
WHILE most are spending the lull between Christmas and New Year buried in chocolate wrappers on the sofa, Shaggy’s festive holidays are a little more exciting.
In an exclusive interview following the release of his new record, Christmas In The Islands, Shaggy, who is in Jamaica, said: “It’s party after party.
“There’s a day party, there’s a night party, there is a drink rum party. Being tired is part of the fun.”
But he appreciates Xmas in the UK too, saying: “I had a few British Christmases.
“There is something lovely and fuzzy about getting in from the cold. I like having a shepherd’s pie, something to warm your body up.”
A man after my own heart.
Soph’s emotional return
SOPHIE Ellis Bextor has warned fans she will be feeling emotional when she finally hits the road again in 2021.
The Murder On The Dancefloor singer, revealed as the first celebrity on ITV’s The Masked Singer on Saturday, is set to play a series of gigs nationwide, starting on May 2 in Holmfirth, West Yorks.
In an exclusive interview Sophie, who entertained the nation from her home disco during lockdown, explained: “I’ll probably cry every night on stage.
“We just want to get back to live events. I think it will be emotional when we’re back.”
Sophie, who will play hits from her latest album, Songs From The Kitchen Disco, added: “I wanted to pay tribute to what the kitchen disco meant for us and it’s why I wanted to do the tour.
“For my family, the impact and the emotional importance of the kitchen disco will take a long time to unpick.”
Director Michael
MICHAEL B Jordan will make his directorial debut for ninth Rocky movie Creed III, his co-star Tessa Thompson has confirmed.
The actor will also reprise his role as leading man Adonis Creed.
Tessa said: “He is directing the next Creed next year.”
Most read in Bizarre
Weeknd gets tough
THE Weeknd has teased the follow-up to his hit album After Hours – and it is expected to be politically charged.
The Canadian singer – real name Abel Tesfaye – told Tmrw magazine: “I have been more inspired and creative during the pandemic than I might normally be.
“The pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement and the tensions of the US election have mostly created a sense of gratitude for what I have and closeness with the people near me.”
GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk