Jack Black Reveals Why He Turned Down Syndrome in The Incredibles — and Why It’s One of His Biggest Regrets

Jack Black has revealed his regret at turning down the role of Syndrome in The Incredibles, admitting he shouldn’t have been so difficult and just accepted the part.

Speaking on Capital Breakfast’s Christmas day show to promote his new movie, Anaconda, Black said he thought Syndrome was a one dimensional character and asked for a rewrite, which writer and director Brad Bird declined.

“I was offered — and I do regret it, saying no — I was offered Syndrome in that fantastic movie, The Incredibles,” Black revealed. “One of my favorites of all time by the way. And I said no, because I was like, ‘Er, Brad Bird, never heard of him. This character that you’re offering me is a villain but he’s kind of 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, ‘You’re done. Get out of here.’”

The Jumanji, School of Rock, and Kung Fu Panda star continued: “And I learnt a valuable lesson. Because then the movie came out and it was one of the best movies ever made. I was like, ‘Why was I being so difficult?’”

The role of Syndrome, Mr. Incredible’s obsessed fan turned supervillain, went to Jason Lee (My Name Is Earl, Mallrats). Pixar’s The Incredibles came out in 2004 and enjoyed critical and commercial acclaim, making over $630 million at the global box office. The Incredibles did so well it spawned a sequel, with The Incredibles 3 confirmed to be in the works. Anaconda, meanwhile, is now up to $88.4 million at the global box office.

Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.