The 'Catch Me If You Can' actor painted over an original Banksy art bearing the artist's distinctive signature during the filming of his new comedy show in Bristol, England.

• Nov 12, 2021

AceShowbiz - Christopher Walken destroyed an original Banksy artwork while shooting scenes for his new TV show.

The actor was filming for comedy "The Outlaws" in Bristol, England when he painted over the piece, featuring a rat with two spray cans and his name.

The scene, from the final episode of the season, shows Christopher's character Frank questioning whether or not he should paint over the art while completing his community service, and being told by his probation officer Diane that he should paint over everything.

"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," a spokesperson for "The Outlaws" confirmed.

However, it has since been claimed that the destruction of the art was pre-agreed by Banksy, who is a big fan of Walken's.

"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," a source told Britain's The Sun newspaper. "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. His only stipulation was that they really did paint over it — and it would be his hero Christopher holding the roller."