Rod Stewart‘s health scare on Sunday while on stage in Utah might have been caused by the “South Park” karma.

The animated sitcom, which has been running since 1997, is known for forecasting events in pop culture in an almost prophetic manner.

Hence, when the British music icon struggled for air while performing, fans remembered they had seen a similar moment play out on their screens decades ago.

Stewart made headlines over the weekend when footage showed him performing on stage at Salt Lake City, Utah, when he began struggling.

As The Blast reported, the 81-year-old stopped singing mid-show to beckon to a staff member backstage, who brought an oxygen tank to aid his struggling breath. After taking a few puffs of air, Stewart revealed to concertgoers that he “nearly f-cking fainted.”

Nevertheless, the icon continued performing, assuring them that the “show must go on,” but not without seeking permission to take a less hectic position.

The performer proceeded to sit on the steps, continuing the concert to the encouraging cheers of the audience.

‘South Park’ Saw The Future Of Rod Stewart’s Poor Health

After videos of the incident went viral, fans quickly brought up a 1999 episode of “South Park” that mirrored what went down.

In the episode titled “Are You There God? It’s me, Jesus,” Stewart was invited by Jesus to perform in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve to usher in a new millennium.

The show depicted the “Have You Ever the Rain?” singer as wheelchair-bound with bowel issues who heavily depended on his nurse. While performing on stage in the episode, Stewart soils himself, and his nurse rushes to attend to him.

“It’s like South Park had access to ‘project looking glass’ this whole time,” one fan wrote on X of the uncanny imitation of art.

“I can’t believe they did this with Rod Stewart nearly 30 years ago on South Park,” another comment read.

“The scary thing is Rod would’ve been in his 50s when this episode was made,” a third fan observed.

The Singer Seen At The World Cup After Canceled Show

Stewart’s health failure in Utah came a week after he faced intense backlash from his fanbase after canceling a sold-out show in California.

On June 12, hours before a throng of fans camped outside to see the London native at the North Island Credit Union Amphitheater, Stewart’s team revealed he would be a no-show due to doctors’ orders.

“On the advice of his doctors and following a diagnosis of an acute upper respiratory infection that has resulted in laryngitis, he is unable to take the stage this evening,” the statement read.

The “Maggie May” singer also issued an apology of his own. However, just a day after the cancellation, Stewart was seen at the Scotland vs Haiti World Cup match with his two sons, Liam and Alastair.

He posted a video on Instagram of the trip to Boston from his private jet, announcing that he had been to seven World Cups.

Fans Tell Stewart ‘Screw You’ After World Cup

It didn’t take long for aggrieved fans to camp in the comments section of the post, blasting Stewart for blatantly disregarding his supporters.

A lot expressed criticism that the knighted entertainer was careless about fans’ feelings, with some speculating he wasn’t sick enough to miss a show.

“My childhood girlfriends and I flew from Arizona and Houston to see the show at Red Rocks. You should have done this earlier. Screw you,” one fan slammed, per The Blast.

Another comment read, “For someone who was sick enough to cancel his show last minute in San Diego yesterday, you sure seem hyped up enough to party with the boys in Boston today.”

However, a rep for the singer explained that the cancellation was out of their control as they had put Stewart on steroids the night before, but it kicked in “too late for the show.”

Rod Stewart Canceled Previous Shows Due To His Health

The California incident isn’t the first time the British singer has complied with his doctors’ advice at the last minute.

As The Blast reported, last month, Stewart axed not one but two shows in Las Vegas after he was due to perform at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace on May 29 and 30.

A statement confirmed the artist was recovering from a sinus infection, causing him to be on vocal rest until June.

The subsequent cancellations are reminiscent of when Stewart terminated six concerts in June 2025, postponing two while shelving the others completely.

We will always celebrate the return of Jason Statham to our screens. This here is a man who knows what we like to see on screen. We love a one man army, someone who will do whatever it takes to save the day, and hopefully smashing up a few blokes while he’s at it. That’s why we’re thrilled that the time is almost upon us for the newest Statham action flick. Yes, Mutiny appears to be the latest in a series of Statham thrillers that are guaranteed to deliver exactly what we’re looking for, and it’s out very soon. So soon, in fact, that we’re getting a new look at the movie.

The new poster for Mutiny has just dropped and, well, it looks pretty much as you’d expect. Statham, at sea, hanging off a freight container. What more would you want, really? We’re guessing the plot of the movie does not involve Statham rearranging entirely legitimate shipping from the Strait of Hormuz. That’s probably a different movie entirely. The synopsis of Mutiny reads:

“In Mutiny, after witnessing his billionaire boss’s murder and being framed for the crime, Cole Reed (Jason Statham) boards a cargo ship on a one-man crusade to avenge his boss’s death only to discover an international conspiracy.”

Mutiny stars Jason Statham (The Beekeeper) as Cole Reed; Annabelle Wallis (Malignant); Jason Wong (The Covenant) as Taran; Roland Møller (Land of Mine) as Marko Madsen, one of the major players; Arnas Fedaravicius (The Last Kingdom); and Adrian Lester (Primary Colors). The movie is directed by Jean-François Richet andwritten by J.P. Davis and Lindsay Michel. Statham produces alongside Marc Butan.

What Else is Jason Statham Making?

Currently, Statham is busy shooting with David Leitch for a new action thriller, Jason Statham Stole My Bike. Yes, that’s the name of the movie, and yes, it’s about exactly what you think. Statham will play himself in the film, which is described as a comedic action blockbuster. Leitch recently told Collider’s Steve Weintraub more:

“No, he’s playing Jason Statham. He’s playing himself. I think that that’s what’s really interesting about it to me. I think it’s different than some of these other meta movies. We’re just really trying to capture something comedic and fun. Obviously, there are some referential things going on. There is a four-quadrant element to it. It’s fun, and it’s family, and it’s a chance for Jason and I to do something we’ve been wanting to do for a long time, and that’s, really, get together and make a story with a heart.”

Mutiny will open in theaters on August 21, 2026.

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Release Date

August 21, 2026

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Runtime

95 Minutes

Director

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Jean-François Richet

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  Ben Cartwright

  Lieutenant Underwood

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Penn Badgley‘s wife is giving a relatable insight into their long-time marriage.

Domino Kirke recently honored the actor on Father’s Day with a divorce joke while raving about his fantastic qualities as a dad to not one but four amazing children.

Penn Badgley welcomed three kids with Domino Kirke, and he is a stellar stepfather to her oldest son from a previous relationship.

Kirke dropped a lengthy Father’s Day message on Instagram alongside a heartwarming picture of Badgley rocking one of their children to sleep. She began by reflecting on her childhood with “a childlike father,” noting she grew up learning “not to expect much” from men.

“You brace yourself for disappointment over and over. You make excuses for their behavior and convince yourself you don’t deserve much more,” Kirke lamented. Her disappointment in men continued with the father of her first child, as she found it “easier” to parent alone.

Everything changed when she met Badgley, whom she credited with helping her understand that she didn’t have to control everything. Even when her mind tried to convince her that she could handle things alone, Kirke now knows in her bones that she can’t be a parent without Badgley.

The Doting Mom Thanked Her Beau For Standing By Her Side

After 13 years together, Kirke couldn’t help but express gratitude for Badgley supporting her as a parent every step of the way. “I realize we’ve always had a child in tow. Always a child in our bed, even one that wasn’t your own,” she wrote, thanking her doting husband with a divorce joke that read:

“Thank you for riding every wave with me and for not agreeing to a divorce every time I ask for one. Happy Father’s Day, @pennbadgley; we’re the lucky ones.”

Kirke’s words sparked a wave of support from fans, who found her post refreshingly honest. “‘And for not agreeing to a divorce every time I ask for one’ Relatable,” someone commented with a laughing emoji. “Those words! Thank you for sharing,” an IG user added.

Divorce Was Once On The Table For The Lovebirds

Although Kirke’s reference to her divorce was a joke in her Father’s Day tribute, it was a serious matter for her and Badgley in the past. The Blast reported in November 2025 that the “YOU” actor had revealed the couple’s marital troubles in the book “Crushmore: Essays on Love, Loss, and Coming-of-Age.”

Badgley reflected on his marriage to Kirke and how they had considered separating after two miscarriages. He did not share the timeline of these heartbreaking events, but stressed that they nearly broke his union, with the second loss hitting harder than the first.

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The TV personality and his wife felt isolated while mourning the losses of children they never got to see, with Badgley recalling how living in a “culture that doesn’t talk much about these things or know how to support those going through it” made it more challenging for them to overcome their grief.

Inside The Couple’s Relationship And Their Four Children

Kirke and Badgley first sparked dating rumors when they were seen in public together in July 2014. Later, reports surfaced that they had begun dating before their outing, with the couple showing off their affection for each other on more occasions.

They legally tied the knot on February 27, 2017, in an intimate courthouse ceremony in Brooklyn and threw a second wedding celebration in June. They welcomed their first child, a son, in August 2020, followed by twin boys in late summer of 2025, per PEOPLE.

As stated, the entertainer took up the role of stepfather to Kirke’s first child from a previous marriage, officially making him a father of four wonderful boys. After welcoming his first son, Badgley confessed in an interview that playing Joe Goldberg on the “YOU” series became harder.

Penn Badgley Raves About His First-Time Experience As A Father

Badgley’s fatherhood confessions continued in a March 2023 appearance on “The Tonight Show,” where he shared his experiences as a first-time dad. He described the journey as a wild yet joyful experience, noting it was challenging but worthwhile.

The actor also shared a funny story, recalling how his then-two-year-old son nearly discovered his role as the serial killer Joe Goldberg in the psychological thriller series. Badgley had been enjoying a sweet moment with the boy on his lap when he accidentally sat on the TV remote.

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“It just went right to Netflix on the TV. And my face was right on the TV. And he was like, ‘Daddy!’” Badgley recalled, noting he immediately started panicking because he knew “something really crazy” would pop up. Fortunately, he turned off the TV in time, per E! News.

By Chris Sawin
| Published 34 seconds ago

Written and directed by Michael Sarnoski (Pig, A Quiet Place: Day One), The Death of Robin Hood sees a grayer version of Robin Hood (Hugh Jackman) residing in the country, attempting to forget the lore that surrounds him, which he claims is all false apart from the stealing and killing. In a way, this older version of Robin Hood begs for death. He wants nothing more than his story to finally end, but he has also only known murderous ways for so long that he can’t let them go. So he’s cursed to continue on living a life of infamy, regret, and bloodshed.

During his last real battle, Robin is horribly injured. He’s cared for by Little John (Bill Skarsgard) and his daughter Margaret (Faith Delaney), but his wounds are too severe. Little John leaves Robin at a monastery, where he’s placed in the care of Sister Brigid (Jodie Comer), and while she nurses him back to health, Robin knows that this will be his final resting place.

Front Loads The Violence

The Death of Robin Hood is relentless in its violence, pausing slightly early on to showcase the bond Robin and Little John still share. A young boy has an arrow pierce the back of his skull and emerge through one of his eye sockets. Later, he’s seen walking around speaking gibberish. Robin also mutilates a man’s hand with a knife before shoving a flaming torch down his throat. This is after the opening of the film, which sees Robin stab a woman to death in the snow by piercing the side of her throat and having a meaningful conversation with her as she bleeds out before shoving his blade in her brain.

Speaking of Little John, Bill Skarsgard is unrecognizable with his short hair, scraggly beard, and gravelly voice until he looks directly into the camera. His screen time is short, but impactful. He has a scene where he transitions from rage-fused vengeance with tears streaming down his face in anger to a caring father reassuring his daughter that everything will be alright so quickly.

Equal Parts Brutal And Beautiful

One aspect of The Death of Robin Hood that may not be met with total acclaim is that the film has no further conflict once Robin reaches the monastery. The second half of the film goes in a completely different direction from the first half, which will either make you love the film more or hate it entirely. Tension rises between Robin and Sister Brigid, Robin and The Leper, and Robin and Godwyn (Noah Jupe), but Michael Sarnoski is more interested in having the audience marinate in what could happen rather than experiencing any sort of physical altercation.

The thriller has a deliberate pace that is meant to appreciate what it means to end one’s life as well as how it affects those around you; even the people you’ve just met. Robin is the world’s most notorious outlaw in 1247, the year the film takes place, but he’s been in hiding so long that people have forgotten what he looks like. Robin has these almost intellectual conversations with both Sister Brigid and The Leper (Murray Bartlett), two individuals who are connected to him in ways he doesn’t fully realize. Once Robin heals in the film, his actions are very much those of someone getting their affairs in order before a planned departure.

One of the more intriguing concepts in the film is that it doesn’t feel like Robin Hood is committing suicide here. It’s a welcome death where someone assists him, but it’s executed as more of a release, not just from life but from his own legend. Robin develops a relationship with Margaret over the course of the film, and he has some final words for her that come across as a passing of the torch, but also as a mentor begging his protégé to be better than he ever was; in a just, moral way.

Robin Hood, as a character, has become habitual. He initially kills in the film as a form of self-defense, but he’s also quite good at it. His actions are not in the typical hero-or-villain sense, but those of a man who has simply survived and made a name for himself by doing despicable things for most of his life. Myths began to circulate regarding why he killed and why he stole money, but the lies intertwined with reality so much that it’s become difficult to distinguish what actually occurred and what didn’t.

The Death of Robin Hood is as savage and brutal as it is beautiful. It is truly one of the year’s most moving and powerful films. Its violence and Irish setting are reminiscent of The Northman, and calling the film the “Logan approach to Robin Hood” wouldn’t be an insult. While most films of this nature feature a titular character doing everything in their power to stay alive, The Death of Robin Hood sees a grizzled, barbaric desperado battling his way towards a triumphant end.

THE DEATH OF ROBIN HOOD SCORE

The Death of Robin Hood is now playing in theaters.

Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for the House of the Dragon Season 3 premiere.

It’s been two years since viewers were last plunged into House of the Dragon‘s increasingly devastating Targaryen civil war, and given that the Dance of the Dragons is only just heating up, it’s beyond evident that only more loss and violence lie ahead. While Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) does intend to take King’s Landing as bloodlessly as possible, Alicent (Olivia Cooke) is in for a surprise when she gets back from their secret meeting at Dragonstone to find that Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) has fled and Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) has now assumed control of the Iron Throne in his brother’s absence.

Not one to let her planning with Rhaenyra be ruined, though, Alicent decides to covertly make some moves of her own, including deliberately planting the idea in Aemond’s head to officially seize Harrenhal, effectively sending him away from King’s Landing and clearing the way for Rhaenyra’s peaceful takeover. Of course, the conversation between mother and son takes a very unexpected direction, culminating in a kiss that is far from welcome on Alicent’s side but certainly plays into the running theme of certain Targaryens preferring to keep it in the family.

Why Does Aemond Kiss Alicent in the ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 Premiere?

Naturally, when Collider had the opportunity to speak with House of the Dragon‘s cast in support of Season 3’s first two episodes, we had to ask Mitchell and Cooke about the surprising kiss between Aemond and Alicent and what’s really going through the characters’ minds at that moment. Mitchell confirms that Aemond is already thinking of himself as the new authority in the family, even if he has a pretty skewed perception of what everyone’s new role should be, especially his mother’s:

“For Aemond, it’s like he’s very much assumed — in Episode 1, at least — he’s very much assumed his dominance as the king of Team Green, and he wants to act accordingly. Alicent, maybe, is his queen, in a weird kind of way, in his mind. He wants to assume a kind of leadership role of this family, and really take them all under his wing. He’s now the father figure. He’s the daddy, he’s the daddy now. [Laughs] … Aemond, he has such a skewered perception of love — how to show it, show affection, and that’s because he never really had it when he was growing up. And I definitely think the kiss was probably a little too far.”

Watching the scene in question, Alicent’s discomfort is beyond evident, but she’s also in a difficult position where she realizes that she can’t anger or incite her son’s wrath in any way, so she has to tread lightly — even if that means making it seem as though Aemond’s action is being reciprocated. Cooke also clarified to Collider that Alicent’s reaction isn’t just general unease, but the realization that her son’s confused impulse is stemming from her own maternal failings:

“Alicent is… her reaction is somewhere, sort of projected. Her reaction sort of lies where the audience’s reaction is, except that she’s got to stay as neutral as possible because this is a very dangerous, powerful man. She’s not expecting it at all. I think that somewhere, unconsciously, there’s like, ‘OK, you know, another fail as a mother, because now my son wants to fuck me,’ but it’s shocking, and it’s really dangerous — and it’s also, I think, really heartbreaking for Alicent that this man who was once her little boy has turned into this very confused, very dangerous person.”

Of course, there’s no telling whether this moment will have any larger ripple effects on the season, especially with Aemond’s sights now set on taking Harrenhal as both a political and personal effort to establish himself as a bigger player. With Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin) urging Rhaenyra’s dragonseeds to leave, rather than lie in wait for the Kinslayer, House of the Dragon Season 3 also seems positioned to set up another highly anticipated meeting for fans, but time will only tell what those two characters might make of each other if and when their paths ultimately cross.

New episodes of House of the Dragon Season 3 premiere Sundays on HBO and HBO Max.

Halsey is reigniting her feud with music critic Anthony Fantano nearly a year after he torched her album “The Great Impersonator.” The Grammy-nominated singer took aim at the popular YouTube reviewer Sunday night after social media users resurfaced discussion about Fantano’s harsh assessment of the deeply personal project, which chronicled Halsey’s battle with serious health issues.

Anthony Fantano’s original review of the album was widely criticized by some Halsey fans after he described the project as exhibiting “main character syndrome,” a characterization that clearly still doesn’t sit well with the singer.

Halsey didn’t hold back when responding to the reviewer’s past comments. In one post, she directly referenced both Fantano’s criticism and her own health battle, writing:

“I’m certain my least memorable song will be remembered more fondly and for more time than anything you ever do with your life will be. Everything you say is more ‘whiny’ and ‘edgy’ than I was at any point on that album. But at least I had the excuse of going through chemo.”

For Halsey, the criticism appeared to hit deeper than a simple negative album review because “The Great Impersonator” was heavily inspired by her personal experiences and health struggles.

The Singer Endured Years Of Symptoms Before Receiving Answers

The singer was diagnosed with blood cancer in 2022 and has spoken openly about the physical and emotional toll of her treatment. During an appearance on Benny Blanco‘s “Friends Keep Secrets” podcast, the singer revealed that she spent years struggling with unexplained symptoms before finally receiving a diagnosis.

When asked how long she had been feeling unwell before doctors identified the problem, Halsey offered a startling answer. “Like eight years,” she revealed. “If someone was paying attention, we could have figured this out like eight years ago.”

Today, Halsey continues to undergo chemotherapy treatments to manage her condition. The singer described the aftermath of treatment as leaving her feeling “horrible for a couple of days” and compared the experience to “the worst, the gnarliest hangover you’ve ever had in your life.”

The singer expanded on her frustrations in a second social media post, arguing that Fantano’s critique reflected a larger issue.

“Who cares he gave a bad review? I care that a pay for clicks reaction YouTuber can facade as a pro critic and say it’s ‘main character syndrome’ for an artist to lament her medical suffering on an album (surprise!) about her own life. He’s a raised-by-4chan edgelord bully. Yuck.”

Halsey then explained why she believes the comments resonated beyond her own experience:

“Being a woman dealing with serious health issues often means being afraid of telling the truth about the pain you’re in because you’re afraid of not being believed or seeming attention seeking. He validated that fear to thousands of women.”

The remarks quickly gained attention online, with fans debating whether Fantano’s original review crossed a line given the subject matter explored throughout the album.

Anthony Fantano Responds To The Criticism

Fantano eventually addressed the singer’s comments, appearing to take the exchange in stride. The YouTube personality responded by saying he was flattered to have landed on Halsey’s radar and referred to her as a “queen.” However, the response did little to soften the singer’s stance.

Halsey doubled down on her criticism, once again describing Fantano as a “raised-by-4chan edgelord bully” before ultimately signaling she was finished with the back-and-forth. “That’s all and good luck to this man!”

Fantano’s Review Drew Attention For Its Low Score

Fantano, who operates the popular YouTube channel The Needle Drop and frequently refers to himself as the “internet’s busiest music nerd,” gave The Great Impersonator a “decent 1” out of 10 in his original review. The score became one of the most talked-about aspects of his critique and generated significant debate among fans of both the reviewer and the singer.

The online personality has built a massive following through his music reviews and interviews with major artists. Most recently, he drew attention after interviewing Olivia Rodrigo, with some social media users accusing him of showing favoritism toward certain female artists.

Now, months after the release of “The Great Impersonator,” Fantano’s review is once again making headlines, but this time because Halsey decided to publicly respond.

“Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Dorit Kemsley took to social media on Father’s Day to not-so-cryptically call out her estranged husband and father of her children, Paul ‘PK’ Kemsley. Now, following the post, Boy George, who PK manages, is slamming the “RHOBH” fan-favorite over her diss.

George’s comments come after the Bravo star has been open about losing her connection to the singer amid the messy divorce from PK.

Kemsley posted the message to her Instagram Stories, using text overlays, various photos and videos, and what appears to be an AI voiceover. She began, “I don’t care who gets offended, I’m gonna say it anyway.”

After that, the “RHOBH” star got vulnerable, saying, “A man who makes the mother of his child struggle is a complete failure. There’s nothing respectable about watching the woman raising your child carry everything alone without real support.”

Kemsley then spoke about being “overwhelmed, stressed, and exhausted” before stating that children can pick up “that same pressure every single day.”

She went on to assert that “a real man doesn’t sit back while the mother of his child breaks down and still handles both roles by herself.” Kemsley concluded, “Leadership isn’t control.” Luckily, Bravo Snark Side on X reshared the post.

Boy George Didn’t Take Too Kindly To What Kemsley Said

After hearing of Kemsley’s comments about his manager, George took to Instagram Stories to share the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star’s post. He did so by including the section with the text overlay that read, “A man who makes the mother of his child struggle…”

The singer added, “This post on Father’s Day? Absolutely disgusting!” Additionally, in a post that appears to have been deleted, George questioned Kemsley’s affinity for designer handbags.

Regarding George’s connection to PK, Bravo says they met in 2014, and PK later began managing his career. Kemsley previously said of their relationship, “There was like an instant love between George, PK, and I.”

She added, “We met George a few years back when he had approached PK about managing him. And when he came to L.A., PK had suggested, ’cause we had the room, he said, ‘You’re welcome to come to the house.’”

Following George’s take on Kemsley’s Father’s Day post, fans are weighing in on social media. While some believe the singer’s defense of her friend was warranted, others questioned whether he’s the best judge of character, given his prior legal situations in which he was alleged to be the aggressor.

One person stated on X, “I think chaining someone to a radiator and beating them for days disqualifies them from posting derogatory comments on others.” Someone else wrote, “I’m not the biggest Dorit fan, but is Boy George really that great of a character witness?”

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A different person said, “Just found out some ‘stuff’ about Bot George and maybe he should now sit this one out. If you’re an abusive jerk, don’t try to distract us with talk about ‘handbags.’”

Still, not all comments were on Kemsley’s side in the matter. One “RHOBH” fan said, “Y’all poo-pooing what Boy says, but Dorit’s the one who flaunted their friendship on the show.”

Another person wrote, “Does anyone really believe Dorit didn’t do this to herself? Not sure why she is struggling if she is such a great businesswoman? After all, she claims to have had many successful businesses in the past, but have any of them survived?”

Dorit Previously Admitted That Boy George Was On PK’s Side

Kemsley appeared on Bravo’s “Hot Mic” podcast in early 2025 and gave an update on her relationship with George amid her divorce from PK. During the interview, she noted that she and the music legend had become quite close since 2014, but that things had changed.

She said, “Boy George is firmly in PK’s camp. I’m also not fighting for people that are in his camp. It’s like, let PK have whomever he needs [for support]. He should have that as should I.” However, Kemsley then predicted about their friendship, saying, “I think George and I still will always be friends, but I think he’s definitely firmly in PK’s camp.”

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PK Is Producing The Boy George Biopic

Variety announced in 2019 that a music biopic about George’s life was in the works, with Sacha Gervasi tapped to write and direct. PK is set to produce the film alongside Kevin King Templeton, who also produced two of the “Creed” movies.

Regarding an update on the film, in 2025, PK shot down rumors that it had been paused. Per Bravo, he said of the reports, “Not only wildly untrue!!! We are making this movie.”

House of the Dragon returned with a bang on Sunday, June 21, featuring a scene that will undoubtedly have everyone talking.

During a tense exchange with his mom, Alicent Hightower (played by Olivia Cooke), during the season 3 premiere, Ewan Mitchell‘s prince regent, Aemond Targaryen, shocked viewers — and his mother — by planting a kiss on her lips.

According to Mitchell, 29, it “kind of makes you want to throw up in your mouth a little bit.”

“Yeah, it’s kind of shocking. But then also, I just recognized a tremendous challenge and an opportunity to show Aemond in a new light,” the British actor told People in an interview published on Sunday.

Related: The Most Brutal ‘House of the Dragon’ Deaths So Far: Rhaenys and More

HBO Game of Thrones was no stranger to seeing some characters meet pretty gruesome fates, and its prequel, House of the Dragon, is following in a similar vein. The first two seasons of the HBO series have featured many onscreen deaths, from major characters to side players and other citizens of Westeros. Fans of the […]

“It’s quite a difficult pill to swallow, isn’t it? Kissing your mom on the lips, especially in that way,” he explained. “I mean, Aemond, growing up, he never felt like he was loved enough by his mom and his family around him, and a kid needs that unconditional love to develop a balanced view of themselves. And Aemond, because he never had that, he’s got a very skewed perception and a very strange way of showing love.”

“I think what you see in that scene in episode 1 is that skewed love,” he added.

Cooke, meanwhile, said the scene was difficult to film.

“I think it was quite odd for both of us,” said the actress. “There has been this Oedipal undercurrent — unbeknownst to Alicent. And I think it’s shocking.”

There’s also the small matter of Aemond being something of a psychopath. After all, he did burn his brother Aegon (played by Tom Glynn-Carney) half to death in season 2.

Cooke, 32, said that for Alicent, the kiss is “really dangerous, because he’s a very dangerous person.”

“She knows that one wrong facial expression, one perceived rejection, will cost her her life. So she’s trying to tread very, very carefully. But I do think she’s sort of stupefied in that moment,” she shared.

Despite having to kiss his onscreen mom, Mitchell praised his scene partner.

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“Working with Liv Cooke in that scene is just … it’s a masterclass working with Liv Cooke in any scene. Yeah, she’s a real one,” he gushed.

Of course, fans of House of the Dragon and its predecessor, Game of Thrones, are no strangers to shocking incest scenes. Aemond’s brother Aegon is, after all, married to his sister, Helaena (Phia Saban). Season 1 also featured the taboo romance between Rhaenyra Targaryen (played by Milly Alcock and Emma D’Arcy) and her paternal uncle, Daemon (Matt Smith).

House of the Dragon season 3 airs Sundays on HBO and is available to stream on HBO Max.