Shaquille O’Neal Admits Getting Turned Down By Marvel For ‘Avengers’

Shaquille O'Neal desperately wanted to join the MCU but the Marvel execs were not as enthused by the idea.

Shaquille O’Neal Admits Getting Turned Down By Marvel For ‘Avengers’

Shaquille O'Neal (Image credits - Yahoo Sports)

Shaquille O’Neal is a well-known figure in the sports world. He is widely regarded as the most dominant player in NBA history. He was a force to reckon with ever since he stepped foot onto the NBA court in 1992.

The Diesel has continued to make a fortune for himself post-retirement through his business ventures and on-screen appearances. He serves as an analyst on Inside the NBA, which has won nineteen Sports Emmy Awards. It is considered by many to be the best sports analysis show on American Television.

Recently, in an interview, O’Neal revealed that he wanted an Avengers cameo for years. Unfortunately, his request was denied because he was considered too famous.  

During the interview with Variety, he said Marvel higher-ups shut down his pitch as they felt that the audiences would not see him as a character but as Shaq.

I wanted to be in the ‘Avengers’ and they were like, ‘Shaq, we f*ckin’ love you and we’d love to put you in, but if your face pops up on screen people are going to go, ‘Hey, that’s Shaq!’. I guess my face is too bigtime.

Shaquille O’Neal on Variety

O’Neal is well known for his humor and not shying away from speaking his mind. He has made a name for himself on and off the court over the last three decades.

While he was a popular player during his time in the NBA, he became a popular face even in the entertainment industry as well. He has appeared in several movies over the past 30 years and was recently seen in Scary Movie. He shares a good relationship with Adam Sandler and has starred in multiple movies with the Hollywood star.

However, an appearance in the “Avengers” would be a huge accomplishment in his long list of achievements. But with Marvel saying no, it looks like the Hall of Famer will not be appearing in December’s “Avengers: Doomsday,” or any other “Avengers” film, for that matter.

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Fans react to Shaquille O’Neal getting denied a cameo in the ‘Avengers’

Marvel’s “Avengers” is one of the biggest movies of all time. It was the first production from Marvel Studios to pass $1 billion in ticket sales. Having someone like O’Neal in the cast would bring in more viewers, but their concerns were understandable.

After revealing that he got turned down by the MCU, fans reacted to his admission on social media.

Most fans agreed that O’Neal’s presence would overshadow his character. However, they also felt that the writers could have written a role for him, as there are other recognizable figures cast in the movie.

Shaquille O’Neal is keen on sharing the screen with The Rock

Shaquille O’Neal has made several special appearances as himself in movies. He starred in his first movie, “Blue Chips,” in 1994. Since then, he has appeared in 20 movies. However, he has never shared the silver screen alongside Hollywood superstar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

The Rock and Shaquille O'Neal
The Rock and Shaquille O’Neal (Image credits – People.com)

He had a cameo in this year’s “Scary Movie” and will be seen in “Grown Ups 3” which is yet to release. But the four-time NBA champion expressed his desire to be cast in a movie with The Rock.

I want to do a movie with The Rock so I can beat him up. Oh, easy! Barbecue chicken (on taking down The Rock).

While he may not have a future in the “Avengers”, he will be hopeful that he will be in a movie with the former WWE superstar. O’Neal may be a busy man, but he is open to acting in more movies in the future.

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