“Dodged a Bullet”: Having Rejected Oscar-Worthy Blockbuster Role, Shaquille O’Neal’s 24YO Choice Leaves Fans Bewildered

It’s an established fact that Shaquille O’Neal is a multi-faceted entertainer. At the peak of his NBA career, he was delving into rap music, acting, businesses, and more. He’s present in every second commercial, carving a spot for himself in the EDM businesses, and showing his comedic chops in every interview. Clearly, Shaq is someone many filmmakers would want on board for his engaging persona. The makers behind a cult classic thought so too.

However, O’Neal disclosed he took a hard pass on that role. It instead went to the late Michael Clarke Duncan. Since this fact surfaced on cyberspace, fans can’t help but smack drop their jaws in shock.

Fans reeling from Shaquille’s Oscar-level disclosure

Shaquille O’Neal was on the Marchand and Ourand podcast in 2021 where he made a shocking revelation about his acting career. By his own account, he was offered the role of John Coffey in the 1999 hit, The Green Mile.  The Tom Hanks-starrer was based on Stephen King’s novel. It was a commercial hit and a cult classic. It received four Academy Award nominations, including for Best Picture.

One was for Best Supporting Actor for the actor who portrayed John Coffey, Michael Clarke Duncan. “That was my role in Green Mile. I turned it down,” O’Neal confessed.

A good many fans simply didn’t believe O’Neal was offered an acclaimed role. But, in all seriousness, the Los Angeles Lakers legend explained why he turned it down. “I didn’t want to play the down south African-American guy during slavery. I didn’t want to play that role.”

He would express his admiration for the actor who brought John Coffey to life. “But the guy who played it, Michael Clarke Duncan, did an excellent job. I think I made the right decision because he did way better than I could have done, but I got offered that role.”

With this breakout role, Duncan would play many iconic characters in Hollywood before his sudden demise in 2012.

Shaquille O’Neal has no regrets

O’Neal built an extensive acting resume while he was dominating the NBA floor. He’s best known for Kazaam and Steel but he also worked in Blue Chips (1994) and played himself in multiple cameos like in Anna Faris’ House Bunny (2008).

There’s no way to tell if O’Neal could also put on an Oscar-worthy performance if he was in The Green Mile.  Yet this remains one of the most surprising facts in Shaq-lore. It sparked a lot of mixed reactions from fans.

“Shaq has always been a good guy. Here, he was a hero,” remarked one Michael Clarke Duncan fan.

Another fan gave Duncan his flowers. “Love me some Shaq, but Michael Clarke Duncan slayed that role.”

READ MORE: 3 Days Before Making Debut In Toronto, Shaquille O’Neal Had Fan-Girls Screeching Only For Scary Selfie

“Honestly, Shaq’s personality/image doesn’t fit with that role. I think it was probably right for him to turn it down. I mean, he doesn’t need the money,” said one compassionate comment.

However, some fans felt relieved. “We all dodged a bullet on that one.”

“He’s better suited to play a rapping genie,” remarked a Kazaam fan.

Yet this user might have captured our general feelings the best. “God. We need a face edit of Shaq on that character in edited scenes now.”

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