Jack Black has been part of numerous popular films throughout his career, such as Jumanji: The Next Level and School of Rock, which have resonated well with audiences.
However, there is one part he declined that he now regrets, as the movie became one of his personal favorites.
In a recent interview with Capital FM, Black opened up about a film role he had rejected.
Initially hesitant, he acknowledged it was a ‘tricky question’.
“Because then the person who got the role, they look like s— because, ‘Oh, I was a second choice? I was sloppy seconds!'”
One of the hosts, Jordan North, admitted he had ‘never thought of that’ and assured he wouldn’t ask the question again.
Nonetheless, Black was only joking, as he humorously remarked: “No, I’m going to answer it because I don’t care.”
“I was offered, and I do regret it, saying no… I was offered Syndrome in that fantastic movie The Incredibles — one of my favorites of all time, by the way,” the actor revealed.
In the Disney Pixar film, Syndrome was eventually voiced by Jason Lee. The character is portrayed as an obsessive fan of the hero Mr. Incredible, who turns into a supervillain with plans to steal the powers of the world’s heroes.
The 2004 film featured a star-studded voice cast, including Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, Spencer Fox, Samuel L. Jackson, and Elizabeth Peña.
“And I said no because I was like, ‘Uhhh, [director] Brad Bird? Never heard of him!'” Black quipped.
Black, known for his role in Anaconda, shared the real reason for declining the role: “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.”
He recalled telling the director: “Will you add some dimensions to this character?’ And he was like, ‘Yeah, you’re done. Get out of here.'”
Despite Black’s doubts about the character, the film became a major success, grossing over $630 million globally, and leading to a successful sequel, The Incredibles 2, in 2008.
Instead of dwelling on missing the role, Black embraced it as a valuable learning experience.
“I learned a valuable lesson because when that movie came out, it was one of the best movies ever made,” the star admitted. “I was like, ‘Why was I being so difficult?!'”