At a Glance
- Jack Black said he regrets turning down the role of Syndrome in The Incredibles
- He asked director Brad Bird for a character rewrite and was declined
- The Incredibles went on to earn over $630 million globally
- Why it matters: The anecdote highlights how even top actors can misjudge a script-and lose out on major success
Jack Black, 56, recently revealed that passing on the chance to voice Syndrome in Pixar’s The Incredibles remains his biggest professional regret.
The Offer He Refused
During a December 25 Capital FM interview, Black said he was offered the super-villain role but questioned the character’s depth.
> “I told Brad Bird, ‘This character is one-dimensional. Can you add some dimensions?’ He said, ‘Yeah, you’re done. Get out of here.'”
Black admitted he’d never heard of Bird at the time, calling himself “difficult” over the request.
Box-Office Impact
Key results after Jason Lee stepped in:
- Worldwide gross: $630 million+
- Critical acclaim and an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature
- Sequel released in 2018; third film in development
Black now calls the finished film “one of the best movies ever made.”
Career Footnote
Turning down The Incredibles didn’t derail Black’s trajectory. He headlined:
- School of Rock (2003)
- Kung Fu Panda franchise
- The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
Key Takeaways
- Black identifies Syndrome as the role he most regrets refusing
- He now sees the experience as a “valuable lesson” about trusting visionary filmmakers
- The part ultimately cemented Jason Lee’s place in animated-film history
Despite the missed opportunity, Black’s upcoming reprisal of Bowser in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie keeps him firmly in the animated spotlight.
