Director of 1996’s “Kazaam” Reacts to Scary Movie’s Joke

“Kazaam” is a 1996 musical comedy produced by Paramount Pictures starring Shaquille O’Neal as a rapping genie. Directed by Paul Michael Glaser (who also directed 1987’s *The Running Man* and 1992’s *The Cutting Edge*), the film underperformed at the box office and is widely regarded as a commercial disappointment. Glaser described the original concept as a genie who loses his power and regains it through friendship, but later said the execution fell short. The rap-musical style reflected O’Neal’s interest in hip-hop during the 1990s.

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Paramount Pictures released a reboot of the *Scary Movie* franchise on June 5, 2024. The comedy opened at the top of the domestic box office for its opening weekend. In a cameo near the film’s conclusion, Shaquille O’Neal appears as the masked killer Ghostface. The scene includes a line delivered by Shorty Meeks (played by producer-co-writer Marlon Wayans): “But I never got over Kazaam,” followed by the character killing O’Neal’s on-screen persona. The joke directly references the 1996 film’s reputation.

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Glaser told *The Hollywood Reporter* he was unaware of the joke until after the film’s release. He described his reaction as mixed, noting it is “nice that something you worked on has some resonance.” He said he would have granted permission for the reference had the *Scary Movie* team consulted him. Glaser also said he is uncertain whether the joke will prompt younger viewers to revisit *Kazaam*, adding it “might jog a few memories.”

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The *Scary Movie* line implies that *Kazaam* was “such a terrible movie,” echoing the broader critical consensus that the film failed to connect with audiences. Glaser’s comments acknowledge this perception while defending the underlying concept. The reference illustrates how legacy media can be revived through contemporary parody, bringing older titles back into public discussion.

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• “It sounds to me that when they said, ‘I never got over Kazaam,’ and they killed him, that’s because Kazaam was such a terrible movie.” — Paul Michael Glaser, Director

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• “I said, ‘No, he ought to play a genie,’ and I hung up the phone.” — Paul Michael Glaser, Director

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• “I came up with that idea about a genie who lost his power, and [through] experiencing the caring and love of a good friendship, he rediscovers his power. I still believe that was a really good idea. I don’t think we executed it as well as we could have.” — Paul Michael Glaser, Director

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• “But I never got over Kazaam.” — Shorty Meeks (Marlon Wayans), *Scary Movie*

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Sources agree *Kazaam* underperformed, but no box-office figures are provided. The impact of the *Scary Movie* joke on viewership of the 1996 film is unquantified.

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Glaser said he would consider future references if consulted, while the *Scary Movie* reboot continues its theatrical run. No new *Kazaam* projects have been announced.

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