EXCLUSIVE
Famed New York Knicks fan Adam Sandler has drafted a division rival for his upcoming movie "Jack and Jill," as newly-acquired Boston Celtics center Shaquille O'Neal will appear as himself in the Columbia comedy, an individual familiar with the project has told TheWrap.
The Big Shamrock (if you will) is set to make "a very small cameo" in the film, which stars Sandler in dual roles as the titular twins and Katie Holmes as his wife.
The story finds Bronx resident Jill traveling to Los Angeles to spend Thanksgiving with Jack and his family … and then refusing to leave, much to her brother's dismay.
The context of Shaq's brief appearance is being kept under wraps, but with Al Pacino also set to play himself, it's possible that the project could be littered with celebrity cameos since it's set in L.A.
Dennis Dugan will direct his seventh Sandler comedy, which the former "Saturday Night Live" star will produce with his Happy Madison partner Jack Giarraputo and Todd Garner ("Anger Management").
Sandler and Dugan previously joined comedic forces for "Happy Gilmore," "Big Daddy," "I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry," "You Don't Mess With the Zohan" and "Grown Ups," which has grossed nearly $160 million at the domestic box office.
The duo will next collaborate on "Just Go With It," which co-stars Oscar winner Nicole Kidman and Emmy winner Jennifer Aniston.
For his part, O'Neal has plenty of feature film experience, as he made his acting debut in William Friedkin's 1994 sports drama "Blue Chips."
He previously starred in "Kazaam" and "Steel," and also appeared on the big screen in "Freddy Got Fingered," "The Wash" and "Scary Movie 4."
Shaq has also played his larger-than-life self in "CB4," "Good Burger," "He Got Game," "After the Sunset," "The Kid & I," "The House Bunny" and most recently, in Disney's "When in Rome."
O'Neal is represented by WME.
