• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Jack Black reveals the one role he regrets turning down after movie became one of his ‘all time favorites’

Home> Celebrity> News

Updated 07:11 6 Jan 2026 GMTPublished 02:44 6 Jan 2026 GMT

Jack Black reveals the one role he regrets turning down after movie became one of his ‘all time favorites’

He's starred in multiple hit films from Kung Fu Panda to School of Rock - but there's one role he regrets missing out on

Phoebe Tonks

Phoebe Tonks

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Throughout his career it’s safe to say Jack Black has starred in some fan favourite movies, with everything from Jumanji: The Next Level through to School of Rock among his most beloved films.

Yet there is one role, that the actor turned down, which he has come to regret, as the film went on to become one of his all-time favorites.

Dishing the dirt on the role that could have been in a recent interview with Capital FM, Black was asked to name a movie role he had turned down. Initially seeming reluctant, he admitted 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!'"

Advert

One of the hosts, Jordan North then responded that he had ‘never thought of that’ and promised he wouldn’t ask the question again.

Yet as it transpired, Black was only teasing, as he playfully quipped: “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 said.

In the Disney Pixar classic, Syndrome was eventually voiced by Jason Lee, and was designed as an obsessive fan of the title hero Mr.Incredible, who became a super villain and attempted to steal the superpowers of the world’s heroes.

The 2004 film’s voice cast also included a number of A-list names, including the likes of 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 teased.

The star then went on to reveal his real reason behind turning down the role as he continued: "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."

Jack revealed he had no hard feelings about not getting the part (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
Jack revealed he had no hard feelings about not getting the part (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

Black remembered 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 reservations, the film went on to be a huge success, raking in over $630million at the box office, and spawning an equally successful sequel The Incredibles 2 in 2008. While it’s safe to say the star could have beaten himself up over missing out on the role, Black revealed he had taken a far different approach as he considered it a humbling learning moment.

"I learned a valuable lesson because when that movie came out, it was one of the best movies ever made," the star said. "I was like, 'Why was I being so difficult?!'"

Featured Image Credit: Simon Ackerman/Getty Image

Topics: Film and TV, Jack Black, Entertainment

Phoebe Tonks
Phoebe Tonks

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Jack Black reveals what 'Tenacious D' means and where he got the band name from while 'high with Kyle Gass'
  • Where to stream Eddie Murphy’s top movies as he reveals three major films he regrets turning down
  • Movie theatres send strong warning to Minecraft viewers as cinemas are erupting into chaos for bizarre reason
  • Top 5 Black Mirror episodes to stream on Netflix including ‘hopeful’ one which will ‘change your life’

Choose your content:

4 hours ago
6 hours ago
7 hours ago
8 hours ago
  • Netflix
    4 hours ago

    Why Tyra Banks banned this 'painful' topic from America's Next Top Model documentary

    America's Next Top Model saw Tyra Banks put dozens of young women through 'painful' situations, but there's one thing she won't talk about

    Celebrity
  • Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic via Getty Images
    6 hours ago

    Friend of Eric Dane speaks out as GoFundMe for actor's daughters sparks huge controversy

    A GoFundMe page was set up to support Dane's two daughters, Billie and Georgia

    Celebrity
  • nicoletv/TikTok/Aeon/GC Images via Getty Images
    7 hours ago

    Travis Kelce's ex goes viral again following unexpected confession seemingly about their relationship

    Kayla Nicole and Travis Kelce reportedly went out for around five years

    Celebrity
  • Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images
    8 hours ago

    Eric Dane's girlfriend breaks silence on his death with heartbreaking tribute

    Dane died aged 53 on February 19 following a brief battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

    Celebrity