Christopher Walken destroys $20million Banksy artwork
An original Banksy artwork has been painted over by Hollywood royalty Christopher Walken while filming his new TV show.
The 78-year-old actor erased the artwork, which is estimated to be worth $20million, as part of a scene of the new comedy drama show The Outlaws.
The elusive street artist Banksy had painted the images of a rat holding two spray cans specifically for the upcoming BBC series, which is set in his home city.
However, it’s claimed that the mysterious artist had collaborated with the show bosses for the stunt.
The six-part series follows a group of misfits who are tasked with renovating a derelict community centre in Bristol as part of a community service sentence.
A spokesperson for The Outlaws 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.”
The wrecking of the artwork was seemingly agreed upon by Bristol-native Banksy, who is reportedly a big fan of Christopher Walken, and admired the fact that Stephen Merchant, a fellow Bristonlian, was showcasing the city.
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.”
Check out the trailer for The Outlaws below:
Image credits: Getty Images