Austin moviegoer releases live bat into theater during ‘The Batman’

AUSTIN, Texas — A movie theater in northwest Austin, Texas, is beefing up security after a suspected “prank” forced management to pause a viewing of “The Batman” on Friday night.

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Heidi Deno, the general manager for Moviehouse & Eatery, confirmed to KXAN that someone released a real-live bat into the showing of the latest Caped Crusader installment.

“To ensure a prank like this does not again occur, we will be adding additional security and checking all bags upon guest entry,” Deno told the TV station.

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Meanwhile, video shared on Twitter by user @Jeremiah24 showed the disruption in real time.

Another theater patron, Breann Wharton, shared video of the incident with KXAN, noting that management’s multiple attempts to eradicate the winged visitor from the showing failed.

“Local animal control was immediately contacted, and they have been overseeing the situation to ensure guest, associate and animal safety,” Deno told the TV station.

Although theater management offered refunds to the viewing’s patrons, Wharton told KXAN that the majority of the crowd opted to stay and watch the film following the temporary disruption.

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