Shaquille O’Neal Makes an Admission About Child Actor From Kazaam, the Infamous Film Where Shaq Played a Genie

Shaquille O’Neal was a young star back in his days. Playing for the Magic, O’Neal was known as the ‘Superman’. Shaq has done quite some movies, including a fan favorite, Uncle Drew. There are other players who appeared in some good movies. Kobe Bryant made his appearance in Daddy’s Home, LeBron James in Trainwreck, and Michael Jordan in Space Jam.

Fans are always hyped to see their favorite athletes in movies. Kobe Bryant even won an Oscar for his animated short film in 2018. Some movies turn out to be great while others are close to a onetime watch. In 1996, Shaq did a movie in which he had the lead role.

Shaquille O’Neal, the Genie lost contact with Max

The infamous movie Kazaam did not do so well at the box office. Shaq and Francis Capra had the leading roles. O’Neal was a genie in this movie, who grants Max three wishes. IMDB has rated the film 3/10. Francis Capra, at the time, was doing well in the film industry. After the movie, he even moved to LA. But what followed next was unexpected for Shaq.

“He uh… he moved to LA and, I don’t like talking about people but you know when you’re a child after you go to LA, two different stories gonna happen so…”, said O’Neal when asked if he knows about Francis now. Shaq goes on to tell that Francis’ side of the story did not turn out the best.

“His was not the great route and we kinda lost contact… I loved his mother, I loved his sister, but we lost contact. But I know he was starting to go down the wrong path, but hopefully, he turns life around.”

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Certain downfalls are pretty common in the film industry. O’Neal witnessed one himself. Francis Capra did more movies and TV shows after Kazaam but did not exactly keep up to Shaq’s expectations.

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“You know, when I was working with him, I’m like man this kid is gonna be a megastar.”, said Shaq.

Francis, 38, still appears in movies and series. Whereas, his Genie now appears on podcasts and on halftime shows.