Jack Black Admits Passing on The Incredibles Villain Role
Jack Black has confessed he once turned down a major Pixar role, only to regret it after the film became a classic. Find out which character he missed out on and what he learned from the experience.
Jack Black, known for his memorable performances since his breakout in School of Rock back in 2003, recently shared a story about a major opportunity he let slip through his fingers. Around the same time as his rise to fame, Black was approached to voice a character in what would become one of Pixar’s most celebrated animated films. The role? None other than the villainous Syndrome in The Incredibles.
Speaking with Capital FM, Black opened up about the decision that still nags at him. He explained that he was offered the part of Syndrome, a role that eventually went to Jason Lee. Black admitted he had his doubts at the time, mainly because he wasn’t familiar with director Brad Bird and felt the character seemed a bit flat. He wanted to see the script reworked to give the villain more depth, but the studio wasn’t keen on making changes for him.
Regrets and Lessons Learned
Reflecting on the missed chance, Black didn’t shy away from the awkwardness of discussing roles that got away.
"It's a tricky question because then, the person who got the role, they look like shit. 'Oh I was the second choice,'"
he said, before adding with a laugh,
"I'm gonna answer it cause I don't care."
He went on to say,
"I was offered – and I do regret saying no – I was offered Syndrome in that fantastic movie The Incredibles, one of my favourites of all time, by the way. And I said no cause I was like, 'Uh, Brad Bird? Never heard of him. The character that you're offering me is a villain, but he's kind of one-dimensional. I'm interested, but I'd like to see a re-write. Will you add some dimension to the character?' And he was like 'You're done, get out of here.' I learned a valuable lesson, because then the film came out and it was one of the best films ever made. And I was like, 'Why was I being so difficult?'"
Looking Back and Moving Forward
Black’s honesty about his misstep offers a rare glimpse into the choices actors face behind the scenes. He admitted that seeing The Incredibles become a massive hit made him rethink his approach to picking roles. Sometimes, he reckons, it’s better not to overthink things or demand too much control, especially when the project is in good hands.
These days, Black is keeping busy with new projects. He’s currently starring in a satirical take on Anaconda, a fresh spin on the cult 1997 horror flick about killer snakes. Despite the regret over missing out on The Incredibles, Black’s career has hardly suffered, with plenty of fans still keen to see what he does next.
Pixar’s Legacy and The Incredibles’ Place in It
The Incredibles has since cemented its status as a standout in Pixar’s line-up, often landing high on lists of the studio’s best works. Black himself counts it among his all-time favourites, even if he’s not the one voicing its infamous villain. For punters interested in animation, it’s a reminder that even the biggest stars sometimes miss out on roles that become legendary.