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

Jack Black reveals the movie role he regrets turning down: ‘Why was I being so difficult?’

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

By Mekishana Pierre

Mekishana Pierre

Mekishana Pierre is a news writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on *Entertainment Tonight* and Popsugar.

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January 5, 2026 11:43 a.m. ET

Jack Black promotes 'Anaconda' in London on Dec. 19, 2025. Credit:

Jeff Spicer/Getty

Jack Black is so hardcore that he doesn't mind revealing one of his big career regrets — turning down a major role in a beloved superhero film.

While promoting his new comedy *Anaconda *with Paul Rudd, the *School of Rock* star was asked during a Capital FM interview if he'd ever been forced to turn a movie down he'd really wanted to make. Black admitted that he usually hesitates to answer that question "because then the person who got the role... they look like s--- because, 'Oh, I was a second choice? I was sloppy seconds!'"

Jack Black attends 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' premiere in 2023.

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

The star's reasoning struck a cord with cohosts Jordan North and Siân Welby, with North responding, "You know what? I will never ask that question again. I never thought of that."

But Black was happy to pull back the curtain, cheekily quipping that he was still going to answer, "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," Black revealed. "And I said no because I was like, 'Uhhh, [director] Brad Bird? Never heard of him!'"

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The *Minecraft Movie* star continued, confessing that he felt the character lacked depth.

"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," Black recalled telling Bird. "Will you add some dimensions to this character?' And he was like, 'Yeah, you're done.'"

The voice acting role of Syndrome eventually went to actor Jason Lee — right before he became a household name thanks to the NBC sitcom, *My Name Is Earl*. Of course, Syndrome became one of Pixar's most iconic villains, and *The Incredibles* earned critical acclaim, including a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Jason Lee; Syndrome in 'The Incredibles'.

Mark Davis/Getty; Walt Disney/courtesy Everett Collection

"I learned a valuable lesson because when that movie came out, it was one of the best movies ever made," Black admitted while looking back on the experience. "I was like, 'Why was I being so difficult?!'"

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While featuring in *The Incredibles *would have been an undeniable boon to Black's career, it's safe to say he's done pretty well for himself without the credit. He went on to voice the beloved giant panda Po in DreamWorks Aminations' *Kung Fu Panda *franchise, as well as the well-known video game villain Bowser in *The Super Mario Bros. Movie *and its upcoming sequel, *The Super Mario Galaxy Movie*.

And, fortunately,, Black didn't turn down his role in *Anaconda.*

Watch Black and Rudd's appearance on Capital FM above. *Anaconda* is now playing in theaters.**

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