Shaquille O’Neal says Marvel Studios has turned down his request to appear in the “Avengers” franchise, including the upcoming December release “Avengers: Doomsday.” The NBA Hall of Famer, who has previously expressed interest in joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, says studio executives ultimately decided not to cast him.
In interviews reported by outlets, O’Neal attributes Marvel’s decision to concerns about his being “too distracting” for a fictional role. Variety frames the comments as part of a broader interview surrounding O’Neal’s “Dunkman” league, whose finals air Aug. 25.
ComingSoon.net similarly reports that O’Neal wants to participate in “Avengers” projects but says Marvel declined him for the reasons related to casting considerations. Both accounts agree that he will not appear in “Avengers: Doomsday” or other “Avengers” films, and they present the same rationale for the studio’s choice.
