Jack Black Reveals the Major Pixar Role He Regrets Turning Down

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Though looking back distracts from the now, sometimes Jack Black can’t help it. 

Many actors have passed on roles they later regretted, and for Jack, that role was Syndrome, the villain in Pixar’s The Incredibles.

I’ve been following Jack for a while now, and he rarely talks about roles he didn’t get, because he doesn’t want anyone who did get the part to feel like they were just a second choice. But he actually said this time, he doesn’t mind sharing which one he regrets – it’s a bit of a departure for him!

In a recent interview on Capital FM, the actor revealed he turned down the role of Syndrome in the movie The Incredibles, a film he considers one of his favorites. He admitted he regretted saying no, explaining that at the time, he hadn’t heard of the director, Brad Bird.

The Anaconda actor turned down the role not just because he wasn’t familiar with Brad Bird’s previous work—which includes films like The Iron Giant, Ratatouille, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, and Tomorrowland—but also because he found the character of Syndrome to be lacking in depth.

Oh my gosh, I remember reading Jack’s interview! He said when Brad offered him the role, he basically told him the character felt… flat. Like a typical bad guy, you know? Jack said he loved the idea, but he needed more! He asked Brad to really flesh the character out, give him some layers, some depth. And Brad was just so confident, he was like, ‘Consider it done!’ It was amazing to hear how Jack wasn’t afraid to push for what he needed to make the character truly iconic. I’ve been obsessed ever since!

Paul Rudd, who starred alongside Jack in Anaconda, is known for giving careful answers, and he recently shared his thoughts on roles he passed up that later became popular movies.

He explained during the interview that he believes true success comes from the people involved. He felt that any strong team or organization achieved its results because of the quality of its members.

There are many movies where the final cast and crew could have been quite different, and The Incredibles is just one example. Here’s a look at some other Hollywood projects that almost went in a different direction.

When The Incredibles—featuring Jason Lee as the villain Syndrome—came out in 2004 and became a hit, it highlighted something important.

He admitted he realized he’d been wrong about the movie. ‘Looking back,’ he said, ‘I don’t know why I was so stubborn about it. It was a fantastic film.’

Since then, Jack has become known for voicing many popular characters, including Zeke in Ice Age, Lenny in Shark Tale, and, famously, Po in Kung Fu Panda.

Paul Rudd, who acted alongside Jack in Anaconda, is known for handling questions about roles he’s passed on with careful consideration. When asked about missing out on successful movies, he remains tactful and avoids any negativity.

He explained during the interview that true success always came down to the people involved. He believed that strong teams were the key to achieving great things.

There are many movies where the final cast and crew could have been quite different, and The Incredibles is just one example. Here’s a look at some other Hollywood projects that almost went in a different direction.

Miles Teller, known for his role in Top Gun: Maverick, auditioned for several roles on Friday Night Lights, even trying out for the part that ultimately went to Taylor Kitsch.

The Star Trek actor lost out on the role, which ultimately went to Ben McKenzie, due to his bad acne.

He shared on Josh Horowitz’s podcast, Happy Sad Confused, in May 2024 that he struggled with bad skin both during his teenage years and again after finishing college.

In a 2021 interview, the actor from American Pie shared that turning down a particular role is one of his biggest regrets. He explained that at the time, he was questioning whether he wanted to focus on television, and wasn’t sure he was ready for that career path. He admits now that his thinking seems a bit arrogant, but that’s how he felt then.

Casting director David Rapaport revealed to EW that he initially preferred Alden Ehrenreich for the role of Dan, but producers felt Ehrenreich, at 5’9″, wasn’t tall enough to be Blake Lively’s on-screen love interest. Ultimately, the role went to Penn Badgley, who is roughly the same height as Ehrenreich, according to online sources.

In his 2014 memoir and again on Marc Maron’s podcast, actor Rob Lowe shared that he declined the role that eventually went to Patrick Dempsey on Grey’s Anatomy. He jokingly estimated that decision may have cost him around $70 million, but added, “It’s just money.” Lowe explained that he saw the pilot episode and when the character was nicknamed ‘McDreamy,’ he realized the part wasn’t a good fit for him.

Benedict Cumberbatch, known for his roles in Sherlock and as Doctor Strange, once tried out for the part of vampire Bill Compton. Ultimately, the role went to Stephen Moyer.

Before becoming an Oscar nominee, Jessica Chastain auditioned for the role of Sookie Stackhouse, but Anna Paquin ultimately landed the part.

When she was 17, Jennifer Lawrence auditioned for the role of Crystal Norris, a werepanther, and was a strong contender. However, because of her age, the role ultimately went to Lindsay Pulsipher.

Tiffani Thiessen, known for her roles on Saved By the Bell and Beverly Hills, 90210, revealed she tried out for the part of Rachel on Friends. However, producers felt she was too young for the role.

Katherine Langford, known for her role in 13 Reasons Why and a Golden Globe nomination, actually auditioned for the part of Betty Cooper on Riverdale. Camila Mendes, who plays Veronica on the show, revealed this, saying they met with a potential Archie actor while grabbing falafel.

Okay, so you will NOT believe this! I was just reading that Jennifer Love Hewitt almost wasn’t Jen Lindley! Apparently, Kevin Williamson was seriously considering Katherine Heigl for the part. Steve Miner, who directed the pilot, loved her from this movie he did with her back in ’94, ‘My Father the Hero,’ and pushed her to Kevin. He even said she looked a little older and more mature for her age, which he thought was perfect! Kevin remembered her audition being amazing – everyone was blown away! Can you imagine a different Jen? It’s just…mind-blowing. I’m so glad it was J. Love in the end, but wow, that could have been so different!

Katie Holmes became a star playing Joey Potter, Dawson Leery’s friend and love interest, but she almost didn’t get the part. According to the show’s creator, Kevin Williamson, Selma Blair was originally cast in the role. However, Williamson told Entertainment Weekly that a last-minute audition tape from Katie Holmes changed everything. He said receiving the tape – filmed in the basement of her family’s home in Toledo, Ohio – was a turning point for him and the show.

Actress Lori Edelstein came very close to landing the famous role of Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City. She even had a signed contract, but ultimately, she was the producers’ second choice after Sarah Jessica Parker. “It really came down to whether Sarah Jessica would take the part,” Edelstein explained. “I had a complete contract and was just waiting to hear.” It’s hard to picture anyone but Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie, but Edelstein’s story makes sense – she was fully prepared to step in if Parker hadn’t accepted the role.

Originally, The CW network envisioned Ashley Olsen as the lead role of the stylish blonde in the Upper East Side drama, according to casting director David Rapaport. However, Rapaport was set on Blake Lively for the part. He told Buzzfeed he was worried they wouldn’t be able to cast her, or that she wouldn’t be a good fit, because he believed the show’s success depended on her, and he didn’t have a backup plan.

The CW initially wanted Rumer Willis, who would later win Dancing With the Stars, to star in Gossip Girl. However, casting director Rapaport felt she wasn’t the right fit for the role—and ultimately cast her on 90210 instead. He explained to Buzzfeed that he liked Rumer, and admired her growth as an actress and person, but he believed the show needed relatively unknown leads who truly embodied the show’s spirit and could sustain it for six seasons.

Before Keke Palmer landed her role on Fox’s comedy-horror series Scream Queens, she was a contender for the part of Iris West on The Flash. Ultimately, Candice Patton got the role. Casting director David Rapaport explained to Buzzfeed that while they liked Candice from the start, they weren’t quite ready to make a decision. They then tested Keke Palmer and another actress, but both seemed too young alongside Grant Gustin. When they brought Candice back for another audition, Rapaport said there was an instant connection.

Iwan Rheon recently revealed to The Telegraph that he was a finalist for the role of Jon Snow during the casting of the Game of Thrones pilot. Ultimately, Rheon ended up playing Ramsay Snow – a character many viewers came to despise – while Kit Harington became beloved as Jon Snow. It’s hard to picture things any other way!

Josh Schwartz, who worked with Chris Pratt on the last season of The O.C., shared that Pratt was originally his top pick for the role of ‘Chuck,’ but it ultimately went to Zachary Levi. Schwartz explained, ‘He was the first guy I wanted for the part. But it seems he was meant to become a Guardian of the Galaxy instead of working at the Buy More!’ He added with a smile that Pratt is a genuinely good person.

Katie Holmes, known for her role on Dawson’s Creek, spoke with Orange Is the New Black creator Jenji Kohan when the show was first being developed, Kohan shared. While Holmes was a fan of the series, Kohan told TopMob News that she was busy with other commitments at the time. Kohan also noted that, early on, it wasn’t clear how successful the show would become.

Cobie Smulders revealed that she originally auditioned for the role of Kate Austen in Lost but ultimately became Robin Scherbatsky on How I Met Your Mother. This means two popular TV shows could have had very different casts!

Cobie Smulders shared in a 2014 interview with TopMob News that both she and Evangeline Lilly auditioned for the show Lost. Smulders jokingly explained that she performed so poorly in her audition that it actually helped Lilly land the role, with Lilly expressing her gratitude.

While everyone associates The Good Wife with Julianna Margulies, she wasn’t the first choice for the lead role. The Emmy-winning actress recently shared that the studio initially considered Ashley Judd and Helen Hunt for the part.

You know, it’s wild to think about ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ almost having a totally different lead! Apparently, Katie Holmes was originally offered the role of Buffy Summers. She decided to focus on being a typical high school student at the time, which opened the door for the incredible Sarah Michelle Gellar to step in and become the vampire slayer we all know and love. Can you imagine anyone else in that role now? It just doesn’t seem possible!

I was so excited when I heard about the casting for the show, but it’s fascinating to learn that Edie Falco wasn’t the first choice! Apparently, Lorraine Bracco was offered the role initially, but she turned it down. She explained that she’d already played a similar character in Goodfellas and was eager to take on something completely different. I think it all worked out perfectly in the end, but it’s amazing how things could have been!

Before landing her record-breaking role on Empire, Taraji P. Henson shared that she auditioned for the part of Olivia Pope on Scandal. She admitted that when she went to read for Shonda Rhimes, she felt it was a role meant for Kerry Washington and wondered why she was even considered. She knew the part belonged to Washington.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I always find it fascinating to hear about ‘what could have been’ in casting choices! Did you know that Gillian Anderson – yes, the amazing Agent Scully from The X-Files – was actually offered a role on Downton Abbey? It’s true! She ultimately decided it wasn’t the right fit, and the part beautifully went to Elizabeth McGovern, who we all know and love as Cora Crawley. It just goes to show how different things could be, even for stars like Gillian!

 

Though it’s difficult to picture anyone but Nina Dobrev as Elena Gilbert in The CW’s popular show, she wasn’t the network’s initial pick. The producers were ultimately won over after revisiting her audition tape, recognizing the talent of the Bulgarian actress.

The famous singer was offered the main part in a series starring Bill Cosby, but she declined the opportunity to focus on her singing career.

For fans of Sex and the City, it’s hard to imagine anyone but Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw. However, Dana Delany was originally offered the part. The Emmy-winning actress turned it down because she’d already appeared in several projects with mature themes – like Nude Girls and Exit to Eden – and didn’t want to take on a show that prominently featured “sex” in its title.

Jerry Seinfeld offered Paul Shaffer, David Letterman’s bandleader, a job on his show without even asking for an audition, but Shaffer didn’t respond to the offer.

AMC initially wanted Jane to play the role of Don Draper, but Jon Hamm revealed in a podcast that she turned it down because she wasn’t interested in being a regular on a TV series. Interestingly, Hamm later became a star in HBO’s show, Hung.

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2026-01-05 22:52