From rock records to gritty indie films, we look at five dream projects we want Machine Gun Kelly to tackle next across music, film, and beyond.
Machine Gun Kelly has spent over a decade proving that he refuses to stay inside any single creative box. Born Colson Baker, the Cleveland-bred artist first made his name ripping through rapid-fire hip-hop before shocking the industry with a massive pivot to pop-punk on his chart-topping records Tickets to My Downfall and Mainstream Sellout. When he sat down with Young Hollywood, he explained the restless creative mindset that drives his constant travel and artistic evolution: "I'm a gypsy, man. Everywhere is my home." Machine Gun Kelly told Young Hollywood.
Having covered his journey across 46 stories since 2012, we have watched him branch into Hollywood as a charismatic screen presence with roles in The Dirt, Big Time Adolescence, and the gritty drama Taurus. Alongside his high-profile romance with Megan Fox and high-voltage live appearances, he continues to push boundaries across entertainment. Watch our full sit-down with Machine Gun Kelly below.
A Dark Indie Comedy Lead
His performance in Big Time Adolescence showed everyone that he possesses sharp comedic timing without losing his natural edge. Instead of taking traditional studio sidekick parts, he thrives when playing unpredictable characters who balance deadpan humor with chaotic warmth. Taking top billing in an offbeat indie comedy feels like the most natural next step for his film trajectory.
Working alongside smart indie directors would give him the freedom to showcase the relaxed charisma fans see in his unscripted moments. He has demonstrated an intuitive grasp of dialogue delivery that feels loose, genuine, and distinctly grounded in real youth culture.
A Full-Length Heavy Alternative Collaboration
With Travis Barker serving as a trusted collaborator and mentor on his rock pivots, Machine Gun Kelly revived guitar-driven radio hits for a fresh generation of listeners. The success of Tickets to My Downfall demonstrated how seamlessly he can merge distorted riffs with infectious hooks.
Our wishlist includes seeing him take that sound one step further into heavy alternative territory. Teaming up with classic rock legends and modern alternative innovators on a collaborative record would expand his sonic range while honoring the heavy influences he has championed throughout his catalog.
A Gritty Neo-Noir Crime Thriller
In Taurus, Colson Baker delivered a raw, vulnerable look at the emotional toll of stardom, earning respect from critics who had previously only seen his louder public persona. That project proved he has the dramatic depth required to anchor heavy, atmospheric cinema.
Placing him in a rain-slicked, neon-lit neo-noir detective thriller would make brilliant use of his distinct look and brooding screen presence. He brings a genuine vulnerability to troubled characters that can carry a high-stakes crime plot.
A Pure Genre-Bending Hip-Hop Hybrid Tape
Before taking over alternative airwaves, the Cleveland native built an intensely loyal following strictly off his lyrical dexterity and underground mixtapes. He has never fully abandoned those roots, frequently weaving rapid verses into modern rock structures.
A full-length project that explicitly unites his hip-hop origins with raw garage-rock instrumentation would deliver the ultimate synthesis of his two musical identities. It would give long-time rap fans and newer rock listeners an uncompromising record that highlights every skill in his repertoire.
A Theatrical Rock Musical Debut
His music videos and live tour sets are already built around high drama, stylized visual storytelling, and massive narrative arcs. From playing iconic rocker Tommy Lee in The Dirt to designing immersive tour stages, he knows how to command a crowd through sheer theatricality.
Bringing that larger-than-life energy to a staged rock musical or a concept-album theater piece would challenge him in an entirely fresh medium. His vocal power and physical performance style are tailor-made for the stage spotlight.
Whatever direction Machine Gun Kelly chooses next, his track record shows he will never take the predictable route. He continues to build an unpredictable, shape-shifting career strictly on his own terms.
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