Jack Black Regrets ‘Incredibles’ Voice-Over Request

Jack Black has quietly solidified his place as one of the most successful and recognizable movie stars in the entertainment industry. Over the years, he has consistently delivered performances that have resonated with audiences, leading to a string of box office hits that have made significant financial contributions to the film world.

Since 2016, Jack Black has been part of six films that have grossed over $500 million globally at the box office. Among these, three have crossed the $900 million mark, showcasing his ability to draw in large audiences. Even some of his less acclaimed projects have managed to perform well financially. For instance, Anaconda, which was initially considered a dud, has already earned $110.3 million worldwide since its release during the Christmas season. There is still potential for it to reach the $200 million mark, proving that even unloved films can find an audience.

Black’s cinematic portfolio is nothing short of impressive. He has become a staple in several major franchises, particularly those aimed at younger audiences. This year alone, two of his franchise entries are expected to each surpass the $1 billion mark. These include The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and Jumanji 3, both of which feature Black in roles that highlight his signature style—often as a wild, energetic character who brings humor and charm to the screen.

In addition to his work in the Super Mario and Jumanji series, Black has also played a central role in the Kung Fu Panda films. His performance in these animated features has helped elevate the franchise and keep it relevant over the years. He has also appeared in two successful Goosebumps movies, further cementing his status as a go-to actor for family-friendly content. Last year, Black was part of A Minecraft Movie, which grossed an impressive $958.2 million worldwide, marking another major success in his career.

Despite his many achievements, Black almost became part of another billion-dollar franchise. During a recent interview with Capital FM to promote the comedy reboot of Anaconda, he revealed that he had been offered a role in the first installment of what would become a beloved Pixar superhero series. The film in question was The Incredibles, where he was approached to play the main villain, Syndrome.

“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 said. “And I said no because I was like, ‘Uhhh, [director] Brad Bird? Never heard of him!’ [I said to him], ‘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. Will you add some dimensions to this character?’ And he was like, ‘Yeah, you’re done.’”

Instead of Black, Jason Lee took on the role of Syndrome, and the film went on to become a massive success. The original Incredibles earned $631.4 million worldwide in 2004 dollars, while its sequel, released 14 years later, brought in an astonishing $1.2 billion. A third movie is currently in development, as Pixar shifts its focus toward established intellectual properties rather than original content. The Incredibles remains one of Pixar’s best films and is widely regarded as one of the great superhero adventures of the 21st century. For Black, it was a missed opportunity that he now reflects on with a sense of regret.

“I learned a valuable lesson because when that movie came out, it was one of the best movies ever made,” Black continued. “I was like, ‘Why was I being so difficult?’”

Despite this setback, Black eventually embraced the animation world, especially after his involvement in the Super Mario and Kung Fu Panda series. His work in these films has shown that he can thrive in the realm of animated storytelling, bringing his unique energy and comedic timing to a wide range of characters.

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