Jack Black Admits Passing on ‘The Incredibles’ Still Haunts Him

Jack Black has recently confessed to feeling a lingering sense of regret over a decision he made more than two decades ago. The actor, known for his energetic performances and comedic timing, was once offered the chance to voice the villain Syndrome in the much-loved 2004 animated film The Incredibles. That opportunity, as it turned out, slipped through his fingers, and the part ultimately went to Jason Lee, who not only brought the character to life in the original but also reprised the role in the 2018 sequel, which proved a runaway success at the box office.

During a recent chat with Capital, where Black was promoting his latest film, Anaconda—released in UK cinemas on Boxing Day and featuring Paul Rudd among the cast—he looked back on the missed opportunity with a mix of candour and self-deprecation.

“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.”

Black admitted, not shying away from the fact that hindsight had given him a new perspective on the matter.

Misjudging the Moment

Black went on to explain the reasoning behind his decision at the time, revealing a certain lack of familiarity with the film’s director.

“And I said no because I was like, ‘Uhhh, (director) Brad Bird? Never heard of him!’”

he recalled, acknowledging the misstep with a wry smile. It wasn’t just unfamiliarity that led to his refusal, though. Black also recounted how he’d offered some unsolicited advice to Brad Bird regarding the character of Syndrome, which, in retrospect, may not have been the wisest move.

“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’.”

That moment, as Black now sees it, marked a turning point in his approach to roles. The Incredibles, after all, went on to become a beloved classic, and its success was not lost on him. He admitted that the experience taught him a valuable lesson about being open-minded and less rigid when considering new projects.

Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead

Reflecting on the aftermath, Black shared how the episode prompted a shift in his attitude towards work.

“I learned a valuable lesson because when that movie came out, it was one of the best movies ever made.”

he said, with a hint of ruefulness. The actor, who has since built a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars, mused on his earlier reluctance:

“I was like, ‘Why was I being so difficult?’”

Despite the occasional misstep, Black’s career has hardly suffered. In 2025, he continued to demonstrate his box office appeal with roles in A Minecraft Movie and Anaconda. Meanwhile, the world of The Incredibles is set to expand once more, with a third instalment in the works and Peter Sohn stepping in as director, taking over from Brad Bird.