Benedict Cumberbatch has been playing his own imitation game after commissioning an artist pal to reproduce a sculpture that appeared in Kick Ass 2.

The Imitation Game star has paid £7,000 for a gold rendering of Boy Soldier by celebrity artist Schoony.

The original artwork appeared in Hollywood blockbuster Kick Ass 2 starring Jim Carrey and Chloe Moretz, located in the villain’s lair.

Chloe Moretz with the Boy Soldier sculpture on set of Kick Ass 2 (Schooney)
Chloe Moretz with the Boy Soldier sculpture on set of Kick Ass 2 (Schoony)

Benedict became good friends with the Hertfordshire-born artist Schoony, after they worked together on 2013 film Little Favour, which also featured the Boy Solider.

The Sherlock star and his friend and business partner Adam Ackland have purchased the limited edition anti-war sculpture to hang in the office of their production company, Sunny March.

Schoony was inspired to create the piece, which was modelled on his nephew, by his work in special effects and prosthetics departments on films including Black Hawk Down and Saving Private Ryan.

The gold version of Boy Soldier made for Benedict Cumberbatch (Schoony)
The gold version of Boy Soldier made for Benedict Cumberbatch (Schoony)

The artist said: “Sending children to war is horrific and highlighting this injustice is really important to me. I wanted to make something alive.”

The gold version of Boy Soldier will be on display at Leontia Gallery, Leonard Street, in East London from March 30 to May 12, before being sent to new owner Benedict.

Leontia Reilly, founder of Leontia Gallery said, “I’m really pleased that Benedict Cumberbatch shares in Schoony’s unique vision. It perfectly highlights the horrors of war and destruction.”