Articles by Joe Roberts

Why Machine Gun Kelly Refused To Audition For Ryan Coogler's Sinners

How does one begin to describe Machine Gun Kelly? The man who could once be found digging graves and hurling abrasive bars at Marshall Mathers is now a pop punk guy — or is that country star? In fact, isn't he an interpreter of beloved alt-rock ballads? Well, he's all those things apparently, and he almost added yet another string to his bow when he had the chance to audition for Ryan Coogler's bloody vampire masterclass and breakout horror hit "Sinners." Unfortunately, it seems the pop star, whose real name is Colson Baker, wasn't all that comfortable using the racial slurs in the film's script. Speaking on the "The Pat McAfee Show" (via Variety), MGK revealed that he was offered an audition for the part of a vampire in "Sinners" before explaining why he turned down the offer. "I was supposed to be in that," he noted. "The vampire, they had me set up to do the audition — it's the one that's in the house, so he's the second vampire, the one that the guy comes and eats the family. In the audition, he has to say the 'n-word,' and I wouldn't do it." Kelly seems to be referring to the character of Bert, a member of the Ku Klux Klan and nephew to local Klan leader Hogwood (David Maldonado). Peter Dreimanis was ultimately cast as Bert, who's turned into a vampire by Jack O'Connell's Remmick early in the movie before joining Remmick's assault on the Smokestack twins' (Michael B. Jordan) juke joint. Casting MGK in this role would have been an inspired choice, given the film's commentary on mass culture's appropriation of Black subcultures. Alas it wasn't to be, and it seems Coogler was okay with that.

6 days ago

Technology

Why Blue Bloods Spin-Off Boston Blue Recast Sean Reagan

Brandon Margolis expanded on the new storytelling requirements of "Boston Blue" in an interview with Variety, where he spoke about Sean Reagan becoming a cop being a major factor in his and the producers' decision to recast the character. "It's not just Sean who has joined the family business as it were and is turning over this new leaf," he said. "It's also now Danny Reagan is the father to a cop, which he's never been before. So there are all these new storytelling lanes to explore." According to Margolis, this provided an "organic opportunity" for "a new energy" that could help emphasize the change. "It is the same character, it's the same relationship," he added. "But it's also completely different. We love what Mika has brought to Sean: this vulnerability, yet this desire to prove himself. It's just been great to watch it come to life." It's not entirely clear why Sean's becoming a cop necessitated a new actor, but it seems the showrunners were convinced it did, regardless. There may well be several other behind-the-scenes reasons for the recasting, but thus far, there's been no confirmation of anything. Meanwhile, Andrew Terraciano has yet to directly address the recasting. The last "Blue Bloods"-related update from the actor came in December 2024 when he made an Instagram post celebrating the series finale. Otherwise, the actor has been busy graduating from New York University in 2025, with his former co-star Donnie Wahlberg congratulating him on a separate Instagram post. Elsewhere, it seems Tom Selleck is eager to team up with "Yellowstone" creator Taylor Sheridan, so if that ever comes to fruition, perhaps Terraciano can come on board as a similarly jilted ex-"Blue Bloods" actor.

6 days ago

Entertainment

HBO's It: Welcome To Derry Has A Link To Stephen King's The Shining

During the NYCC panel, Chris Chalk provided more of an insight into how his younger version of Dick Hallorann differs from the portrayals we've seen thus far. "Welcome to Derry" will present a younger, more rough-around-the-edges version of the character, with Chalk saying, "Dick thinks all of these [Derry residents] are corny. He doesn't respect a single one of them, and that's the journey of Dick." As Chalk went on to say, "The Dick you know is super nice ... Good luck with this Dick." What exactly Hallorann is doing in Derry prior to co-founding the Black Spot isn't entirely clear, but Chalk addressed that question, too: "Dick is in Derry because Dick f****d up, and that's the truth. You'll see the show and you'll get that." According to the actor, this version of Hallorann is dealing with some internal struggles and is a long way from the more nurturing figure who guided Danny Torrance through his Overlook Hotel ordeal in "The Shining." As Chalk put it, this younger Hallorann is "at a stage when he has a different relationship with his internal self, with his spiritual world, and his biggest fear is himself and losing control." With fear being such an integral theme to "It," it makes sense for Hallorann to be such a big part of the upcoming series, which interrogates that theme both through Pennywise (played by a returning Bill Skarsgard) but also through the racial tensions in Derry and local residents using fear as an intimidation tactic. Hallorann represents an ideal entry point for exploring these ideas. In that sense, it would be more surprising if the Muschiettis left him out of the prequel series. The premiere episode hits HBO on October 26, 2025.

Oct 16, 2025

Technology

Slow Horses' Most Spineless Character Finally Stands Up For Himself In Season 5

This article contains spoilers for "Slow Horses" season 5, episode 4, "Missiles." Nobody does bumbling characters better than "Slow Horses." This is, after all, a show about burnout spies who've managed to mess things up so badly they've been permanently banished to a shoddy office in the middle of London. But that doesn't mean the staff at MI5 headquarters, aka The Park, know what they're doing, as exemplified by the brilliantly slimy Claude Whelan (James Callis, who previously portrayed one of the best characters on "Battlestar Galactica" in Gaius Baltar). In "Missiles," however, Whelan suddenly displays some uncharacteristic competence when he threatens blackmailers by using the resources of the intelligence service to fight his way out of a bind. Back in season 4, Whelan was appointed as the new Director General of MI5, replacing Ingrid Tearney (Sophie Okonedo) — much to Diana Taverner's (Kristin Scott Thomas) chagrin. Clearly unsuitable for the role, Claude quickly reveals himself to be in over his head, relying on Taverner to help guide him through a position he has no business occupying. Whelan has been depicted as a bit of a weasel ever since, but in "Missiles," we see a more ruthless side to the character that suggests he might finally be getting the hang of this whole spook thing ... or setting himself up for an even bigger disaster down the road. In the episode, Whelan is blackmailed by Conservative MP and London mayor hopeful Dennis Gimball (Christopher Villiers) and his wife, gossip columnist Dodie Gimball (Victoria Hamilton). The Gimballs unearthed compromising photos of Whelan meeting with a sex worker, and use the images to blackmail the MI5 chief. But just when the walls seem to finally be closing in on Whelan, he fights his way out in a storyline that doesn't bode all that well for Taverner's hopes of finally taking the top spot at the intelligence service.

Oct 15, 2025