Paul Bettany transforms into 1960s pop art icon Andy Warhol while Jeremy Pope plays creative legend Jean-Michel Basquiatas they film scenes for The Collaboration in Boston
- The actor, 51, sported the pop art pioneer’s signature blonde hair as he shot scenes for the upcoming film on Monday
- Jérémy also got into character to play the late creator Jean-Michel Basquiat
- The film is based on the acclaimed play of the same title by four-time Oscar nominee Anthony McCarten, which focuses on the unique friendship of Warhol and Basquiatas.
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Paul Bettany became iconic 1960s artist Andy Warhol, when he was spotted filming scenes for his next film The Collaboration with Jeremy Pope in Boston.
The actor, 51, sported the pop art pioneer’s signature blonde hair to film scenes alongside Jeremy, who took on the role of creator Jean-Michel Basquiat.
The film is based on the acclaimed play of the same title by four-time Oscar nominee Anthony McCarten – who also played the actors in their actuality – and delves into the unique friendship between the two.
Iconic: Paul Bettany (L) once again took over the place of the late iconic artist Andy Warhol (pictured in 1984), during the filming of the next film The Collaboration in Boston
Bettany wore a navy suit over a blue button-down shirt and jeans, paired with a brown tie and white sneakers for the stage.
The English actor also wore the pop artist’s famous silver and matching glasses, and could be seen walking alongside Pope in one of the scenes.
Meanwhile, Pope channeled Basquiat – also known as the King of Neo-Expressionism – in a mint jacket worn over an orange button, white trousers and brown shoes.
Channeling Basquiat: He was joined by Jeremy Pope (R) who plays opposite him famous New York artist Jean-Michel Basquiat (pictured in 1984)
In character: Bettany wore a navy suit over a blue button-up shirt and jeans, and wore the pop artist’s famous shredded silver-gray wig and silver-rimmed glasses
Trending: Meanwhile, Pope channeled Basquiat – also known as the King of Neo-Expressionism – in a mint jacket worn over an orange button, white trousers and brown shoes
The play takes place in 1984, when Warhol and Basquiat were collaborating together. They both died later that decade.
Basquiat, who had a short but illustrious professional career, is considered one of the most important painters of the 20th century as well as a cultural icon. The New York artist died in 1988, at the age of 27, from a heroin overdose.
During this time, Warhol was a visual artist, director and producer famous for leading the Pop Art movement and reproducing several serigraphs of American icons such as Marilyn Monroe and Campbell’s Canned Soup.
Collaboration: The drama – directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah – will depict the artists’ legendary friendship and see them collaborate on an exhibition (the couple are pictured in 1985)
His life nearly ended in a 1968 assassination attempt by radical feminist writer Valerie Solanas, who shot him dead in her studio, known as The Factory.
Although he was seriously injured in the attack, he managed to survive.
The artist died years later, on February 22, 1987, at the age of 58, following complications from gallbladder surgery.
Their roles: The film is based on the acclaimed play of the same title, which also starred the two actors, and premiered at London’s Young Vic Theater in February; Both pictured in 2022
The drama depicts how the artists worked together in 1980s New York.
Directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah, the original piece imagines the conversations and conflicts between artists as they collaborate on an exhibition.
The play had its world premiere at the Young Vic Theater in London in February.
Once production on the film is complete, the play will head to Broadway, with December 20 as its opening night, and Bettany and Pope reprising their roles.
Return: Once production on the film has wrapped, the play will head to Broadway, with December 20 as its opening night, and Bettany and Pope will reprise their roles once again.
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