SHAQ: What I learned from the failures of 'Kazaam' and 'Shaq Fu'

RingNational Package Protection DayShaquille O'Neal: If you watch "Kazaam" as an adult, you should be ashamed of yourself. That movie is for children, but because it was me — "The Shaqster" — you get all these Siskel and Ebert-type guys trying to critique the movie. [The 1996 movie grossed only $19 million. It has a 6% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.]You know, it was just me taking advantage of an opportunity, doing something for kids. I'm not trying to win Oscars and Emmys and Tonys. You know, think about it. A kid from the projects of Newark, New Jersey gets to do a major motion picture. I'm gonna take it every time, no matter what the script it. Graham Flanagan: Did you make a lot of money from "Kazaam?"O'Neal: I sure did. Flanagan: What was your check for that?O'Neal: You know I don't like talking about that, but it was — it was nice.["Shaq Fu" was released in 1994 for Sega and Nintendo consoles. In 1997, Nintendo Power Magazine voted it the 3rd worst video game ever.]That was on the end of analog and the birth of digital. Like, if I would have met those digital people I would've never approved "Shaq Fu," but again, a kid from the projects of Newark, New Jersey wants to do a video game. People know I like karate. And it was cool, and then, like 30 days later, all these digital games come out. I was just like, "Oh, no."You learn from mistakes like that. I learned then to do your due diligence. You always have to see what's next, because there's always something next. [A "Shaq Fu" reboot is in the works.]It's coming out. I just have to make sure it's perfect. I'm doing something I've never done before, and I'm micromanaging something. They send me updates like every two weeks, and I'm like, "Eh, I don't know yet."So, you know, the script has to be good. The effects — like, everything has to be perfect. What people don't understand about me is, growing up with a drill sergeant father, I'm programmed not to have my feelings hurt. I listen to people and I respect them. If you don't like "Kazaam," okay, I understand. I'm not gonna be like, "Forget you!"It's not my style. You don't like "Shaq Fu?" I understand, but I'm not gonna be wasting my time trying to prove to you that I am a good actor. So, I'm not looking to redeem myself. I'm just looking to put out a pretty good game, and hopefully, the people like it. And if they don't, then I'll just try and come back.