Star Wars series and Jurassic World filming abandoned as coronavirus causes staff at Pinewood Studios to be sent home
FILMING on a new Star Wars series and the latest Jurassic World movie at Pinewood Studios ground to a halt today as staff were sent home for at least a month.
Workers at the world-famous site, which is also the home of the James Bond films, were told to leave because of the coronavirus pandemic.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
Productions thought to have been affected include a Star Wars spin-off starring Obi-Wan Kenobi, which is being made for new streaming service Disney+.
The latest Jurassic World movie, Dominion, is also now believed to be on hold because of the spread of the disease across the UK.
However, Pinewood remains open for business and it is not known if other films on the site have been shut down, or if staff have been allowed to continue working.
A source told The Sun Online: "Filming just stopped today and staff were sent home.
"Staff are being told the productions will now be one hold for 30 days starting from next Monday."
A spokesperson for Pinewood declined to comment on individual productions when contacted by The Sun Online today.
However, they said: "Pinewood Group are continuing to follow guidance set out by the Government, and the studios remain fully operational."
The news of a shutdown came after prime minister Boris Johnson urged all Brits to stop non-essential travel and contact with others in a chilling statement yesterday.
He asked millions of workers to stay at home where possible as it was revealed the coronavirus death toll had hit 56.
So far 1,950 Brits have been confirmed as infected with the disease - though the true figure is thought to be closer to 55,000.
Pinewood has been at the heart of the British movie business for 80 years, with Bond movie No Time To Die among the productions filmed on its legendary 007 stage.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, 2019's final chapter in the sci-fi hit's franchise, was also shot there in recent years.
Most read in TV & Showbiz
Jurassic World: Dominion, which is scheduled for release next year, is being filmed at Pinewood as well as at locations in Canada and Hawaii.
It stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, alongside Jurassic Park originals Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum and Sam Neill.
Coronavirus has played havoc with many filming schedules, with streaming giant Netflix last week suspending all film and TV production.