Christopher Walken destroys original Banksy artwork as he PAINTS OVER it while filming The Outlaws in Bristol… but it’s claimed mysterious artist and show bosses COLLABORATED for the scene
Christopher Walken destroyed an original piece of Banksy artwork by painting over it during a scene for his TV show.
The Hollywood actor, 78, erased the piece by the secretive artist as he cleaned up street graffiti while filming his comedy drama show The Outlaws in Bristol.
Anonymous street artist Banksy, who hails from Bristol, painted the image of a rat with two spray cans and his name especially for the BBC series which is set in his home city.
However, it’s claimed mysterious artist and show bosses collaborated for the paint scene.
Uh oh! Christopher Walken destroyed an original piece of Banksy artwork by painting over it during a scene for his TV show
The six-part comedy-drama follows a group of misfits renovating a derelict community centre in Bristol as part of community service for various crimes they have committed.
Christopher plays Frank in the Stephen Merchant co-created show, with the character completing his community service by painting over graffiti in the final episode of the series.
Upon finding the artwork, Frank asks his probation officer Diane (played by Jessica Gunning) if he should paint over it.
Gone forever: The Hollywood actor, 78, erased the piece by the secretive artist as he cleaned up street graffiti while filming his comedy drama show The Outlaws in Bristol
However, Diane is distracted and doesn’t see the art, telling Frank that all graffiti must be painted over, with Frank then doing as he’s told.
A spokesperson for The Outlaw confirmed: ‘We can confirm that the artwork at the end of The Outlaws was an original Banksy, and that Christopher Walken painted over that artwork during the filming of this scene, ultimately destroying it.’
However, it’s been revealed that the wrecking of the artwork was pre-agreed by Bristol native Banksy, who is said to be a big fan of Hollywood legend Christopher and admired the fact that fellow Bristolian Stephen Merchant was showcasing the city.
Artwork: Anonymous street artist Banksy, who hails from Bristol, painted the image of a rat with two spray cans and his name especially for the BBC series which is set in his home city
Series: The six-part comedy-drama follows a group of misfits renovating a derelict community centre in Bristol as part of community service for various crimes they have committed
A source told The Sun: ‘The creative team came up with the dream scenario and got in touch with the artist’s representatives in the faint hope that he might help them.
‘Then they discovered shortly afterwards that he’d been to the location where they were filming and left something behind. They couldn’t believe their luck as he’d painted a giant rat using his hallmark stencilling technique as well as his distinctive signature.’
They added: ‘His only stipulation was that they really did paint over it — and it would be his hero Christopher holding the roller.’
Role: Christopher plays Frank in the Stephen Merchant co-created show, with the character completing his community service by painting over graffiti in the final episode of the series
Whoops: Upon finding the artwork, Frank asks his probation officer Diane if he should paint over it. However, Diane is distracted, telling Frank that all graffiti must be painted over, with Frank then doing as he’s told
It comes after a Banksy artwork that half-shredded itself has sold for £18.6 million – four times its estimate last month.
Onlookers gasped when the then-titled ‘Girl with Balloon’ was sucked into a concealed shredder as the hammer fell following a bid of £1.04million pounds at a 2018 auction at Sotheby’s.
The unique item, now called ‘Love is in the Bin’, by the anonymous street artist returned for sale with a price estimate of up to £6million.
Planned: However, it’s been revealed that the wrecking of the artwork was pre-agreed by Bristol native Banksy, who is said to be a big fan of Hollywood legend Christopher (pictured in 2018)
But the artwork blew out all expectations by selling for £18.6million – a new record for a Banksy piece – to a private investor represented by bidder Nick Buckley Wood.
The sale, which saw nine bidders battle for 10 minutes for the work, beats the previous record of £16.75 million set for a Banksy in March.
Some people think it didn’t really shred. It did. Some people think the auction house was in on it, they weren’t,’ the street artist said on Instagram in 2018.
‘Love is in the Bin’: It comes after a Banksy artwork that half-shredded itself has sold for £18.6 million – four times its estimate last month
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