While promoting his upcoming comedy Anaconda alongside Paul Rudd, Black appeared on Capital FM, where he was asked whether he had ever turned down a role he later wished he had accepted. Although the actor admitted he usually avoids answering such questions out of respect for fellow performers, he decided to share the story openly.
Black revealed that he was originally offered the role of Syndrome in Pixar’s animated classic The Incredibles. At the time, he said, he hesitated due to unfamiliarity with the film’s director, Brad Bird, and concerns that the villain lacked sufficient depth.
According to Black, he requested changes to the character, suggesting a rewrite to add more dimension. The request ultimately led to him losing the role. The part instead went to Jason Lee, who later gained widespread recognition through the NBC sitcom My Name Is Earl.
Upon its release, The Incredibles was met with overwhelming critical acclaim, earning a 97 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and cementing Syndrome as one of Pixar’s most memorable antagonists. Looking back, Black acknowledged that the film’s success taught him an important lesson about trusting creative vision.
Despite missing out on the Pixar project, Black’s career has continued to flourish. He went on to voice Po in DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda series and later portrayed Bowser in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, with a sequel already in development.
Reflecting on the missed opportunity, Black admitted that declining the role was a mistake, but emphasized that the experience ultimately contributed to his growth as an actor. With a long list of successful performances behind him and new projects ahead, the actor remains one of Hollywood’s most recognizable and enduring talents.
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