The Mandela Effect: Did Sinbad Make a Genie Movie and Was There an Original “Run & Gun”?

Matt Ryan Allen
3 min readMar 17, 2023

The Mandela Effect, a phenomenon where a large number of people remember events or facts differently from the documented reality, has captivated conspiracy theorists and curious minds alike. One of the most infamous examples of the Mandela Effect is the widespread belief that the comedian Sinbad starred in a 1990s genie movie called “Shazaam.” Despite fervent claims from many people who swear they’ve seen it, no evidence of the film’s existence has ever been found.

In the 2022 remake of “Run & Gun,” the film’s villain Grayson, portrayed by Richard Kind, delivers a fascinating monologue about the Mandela Effect. During his speech, Grayson becomes fixated on the supposed Sinbad genie movie, using its existence as proof that the Mandela Effect is real. The scene is an engaging exploration of memory, alternate realities, and the mysteries of the human mind.

Ironically, “Run & Gun” itself has become the subject of Mandela Effect speculation. The original 1975 film, starring Steve McQueen, is nearly impossible to find, with no official DVD or streaming release. Directed by Lee Frost and produced by Tom…

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Matt Ryan Allen

Matt R. Allen is a screenwriter, producer and amateur futurist living in Los Angeles. He's best known for the comedies, Four Christmases and Block Party..