We’re crying a little because Jake Gyllenhaal was almost in ‘The Mighty Ducks’ — but don’t worry, he cried about it too

Remember growing up, and how sometimes you would beg your parents to let you do certain things? Your parents would give a stern, “no,” so then you’d launch into, “well, all the OTHER kids are going to the sleepover!” It’s happened to the best of us, don’t worry. It’s even happened to Jake Gyllenhaal. But instead of just going to some sleepover, his was more like, “but all the other kids are going to be in The Mighty Ducks!”

Stopping by Howard Stern’s Sirius XM radio show, Gyllenhaal explained that he auditioned for a role in Disney’s 1992 classic, The Mighty Ducks. Even back then as a 12-year old, Gyllenhall was a fine young actor. Naturally, he landed one of the roles and saw his chance to quack like a pro. However, his parents told him he couldn’t do it.

Afterwards, he remembers “crying at the kitchen counter” and thinking that his parents were “crazy” to deny him the opportunity. Gyllenhaal’s parents, director Stephen Gyllenhaal and screenwriter Naomi Foner, wanted little Jake to focus on his school work instead.

“My parents were like, ‘you’re about to enter junior high school, you gotta get your education, that is the most important thing, I promise you, you hate us now, but you’ll thank us later,’” Gyllenhaal explains, “And I do, I [thanked] them later.” Not being in Mighty Ducks meant he could “be a normal kid at school,” and looking back, he wouldn’t trade that, even to face off against rival team, the Hawks.

Now just take a second and imagine a different 90s alternate reality, where Gyllenhall gets a prime spot in your locker, along with all your other 90s crushes, like Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Hanson. And don’t worry, Gyllenhaal, there’s always the inevitable Mighty Ducks reboot, and you can totally play Coach Bombay.

(Image via Disney.)