Jack Black Admits Turning Down The Incredibles Was a Blunder
Jack Black has opened up about passing on the chance to voice Syndrome in The Incredibles, reflecting on the decision and how it shaped his approach to future roles.
Jack Black has come clean about a career move he’s not too chuffed with—knocking back the offer to voice Syndrome in the animated classic The Incredibles. The part eventually landed with Jason Lee, best known for My Name Is Earl, who not only brought the villain to life in the 2004 film but also returned for the 2018 sequel, which pulled in a massive box office haul that year.
While chatting with Capital during a promo run for his latest flick, Anaconda, which hit UK cinemas on Boxing Day and also features Paul Rudd, Black reflected on the one that got away. He confessed,
“I was offered, and I do regret it, saying no… I was offered Syndrome in that fantastic movie The Incredibles. One of my favourites of all time, by the way.”
Missed Chances and Honest Mistakes
Black didn’t hold back about why he passed on the role, admitting,
“And I said no because I was like, ‘Uhhh, (director) Brad Bird? Never heard of him!’”
He went on to explain that he’d given Bird some unsolicited feedback about the character, which probably didn’t help his chances.
“This character that you’re offering me is like a villain, but he’s kinda one-dimensional. I’m interested but I’d like to see a rewrite. Will you add some dimensions to this character?’ And he was like, ‘Yeah, you’re done’.”
Looking back, Black reckons he learned a thing or two from the experience. When The Incredibles finally hit the big screen, he realised just how good it was.
“I learned a valuable lesson because when that movie came out, it was one of the best movies ever made.”
He added,
“I was like, ‘Why was I being so difficult?'”
Career Moves and Lessons Learnt
Despite the misstep, Black’s career hasn’t exactly suffered. In 2025, he kept his name front and centre in Hollywood with roles in A Minecraft Movie and Anaconda, proving he’s still a reliable draw for punters. His choices over the years have been a mixed bag, but he’s managed to stay relevant and in demand.
Meanwhile, the world of The Incredibles isn’t done yet. A third instalment is already in the pipeline, with Peter Sohn stepping in as director, taking over from Brad Bird. Fans are keen to see where the franchise heads next, even if Black won’t be lending his voice to any of the characters.