Hollywood star’s shocking fight scene in Guy Ritchie’s wild new film wrecked historic club with blood covering antiques
There’s always going to be plenty of action in Guy Ritchie movies.
But the director’s next offering sounds even wilder than you would expect, after one filming location was left torn up and covered in blood following a shoot-out scene involving leading man Benedict Cumberbatch.
I’ve learned that sequences for upcoming movie Wife And Dog were shot at a Victorian working men’s club in North London, now popular with hipsters and celebrities for its wood-panelled halls, snooker room and other period features.
But things got so crazy at the Mildmay Club in Stoke Newington, that the venue was left with thousands of pounds worth of damage to sort out.
A full-size antique snooker table, the pride and joy of regulars, was left with a “bloodied” and ripped baize and battered woodwork.
My movie insider said: “Benedict was involved in a massive fight scene in the snooker hall and one of the tables, dating back to about 1900, was left drenched in fake blood and badly torn up.
“Guy Ritchie is known for his film Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels but this was lock, stock and two smoking cue-balls.
“Luckily, six-time snooker world champ Steve Davis, who often DJs techno music at the club, was able to call in his brother Keith to fix things up.
“The locals who use the room regularly weren’t best pleased but thankfully the place wasn’t completely decimated and they managed to claim on insurance.”
Despite the mayhem, locals described Benedict as a “nice bloke”.
The film, claiming to be based on true events, sees all hell break loose after a brilliant scientist discovers a pesticide’s toxicity, putting its powerful manufacturer in the firing line.
The movie, also starring Rosamund Pike, James Norton and Sir Anthony Hopkins, started shooting in London in February and is expected to hit screens later this year.
The Mildmay Club, founded in 1888, has long been a secret favourite of celebrities.
Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker often DJs there and 6 Music host Nick Grimshaw enjoys its bingo nights.
Liam Gallagher is said to have had such a good time at a birthday party for Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie — at which the Oasis man reportedly broke the sound system — that he declared he would one day like to be married there.
The club committee might want to avoid Liam booking it for his forthcoming wedding to third bride Debbie Gwyther.
Knowing how raucous his parties can get, the damage could be even worse than Benedict’s bedlam.
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