Jack Black admitted he was being 'difficult' in turning down role for 'one of the best films ever'

Don't let your pride get in the way of a great opportunity, or you might still be kicking yourself over it over 20 years later, like Jack Black is.

The Golden Globe-winning actor and comedian, 56, has revealed that he turned down a role in a Pixar film which he now considers to be 'one of the best movies ever made'.

So if you've woke up with a bellyful of regret this morning, take some reassurance in the fact that you haven't been plagued by that feeling for the last two decades, as Black has.

The School of Rock actor explained that in hindsight, he now realises he was being 'difficult' - and although he rues the day he said no to the role, the experience did teach him a 'valuable lesson'.

During an appearance on Capital FM in December, Black sat down for an interview with hosts Jordan North and Sian Welby alongside his Anaconda co-star Paul Rudd.

The flick is inspired by the 1997 film of the same name and follows the pair - who star as best friends Griff and Doug - as they head to the Amazon to fulfil their childhood dream of recreating their favourite film.

Take a look at the trailer for it here:

While promoting Anaconda on the radio show last month, conversation turned to other gigs that both Black and Rudd have missed out on in the past.

Black revealed that the late and great Philip Seymour Hoffman often pipped him to the post, saying that he 'always lost roles' to the actor, while Joaquin Phoenix also once landed a part in a film over him.

The Tenacious D star was then asked what characters he regrets passing up on - which he explained was a 'tricky question' to answer.

Black laughed: "Because then the person who got the role, they look like s**t, like 'Oh, I was second choice, I was sloppy seconds!'"

Hilariously, he then said he was happy to answer the question as he 'doesn't care' - before explaining that he was once offered a part in Pixar's iconic 2004 film, The Incredibles.

Black revealed he turned down the role of The Incredibles villain Syndrome - which is something he has come to regret (Pixar)

Black explained that director Brad Bird got in touch with him when creating the animated superhero movie to offer him a role in it.

"I was offered - and I do regret it, saying no - I was offered Syndrome in that fantastic movie, The Incredibles," the actor said.

"One of my favourites of all time, by the way. I said no because I was like, 'Uh, Brad Bird? Never heard of him'."

Bird is, in fact, a respected filmmaker, animator, and voice actor, who wrote and directed the first two films in The Incredibles franchise.

He's passed the directing baton to Peter Sohn for the upcoming third instalment, but Bird is still writing the script for it.

The actor said he rejected the part as he was being 'difficult' - while admitting he had 'never heard of' the film's director Brad Bird (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Disney)

Anyway, Black soon realised what a mistake he had made after seeing the flick upon its release - and he went on to offer further explanation about why he rejected the role in the first place.

Reciting the conversation he had with Bird, the comedy star said: "This character that you're offering me is like 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?"

Black then added with a laugh: "And he was like, 'You're done, get out of here'.

"I learned a valuable lesson, because then the movie came out. It was one of the best movies ever made. And I was like, 'why was I being so difficult?'"

My Name Is Earl star Jason Lee ultimately took on the role of the red-haired villain Syndrome in The Incredibles - but let's hope he doesn't consider himself to be 'sloppy seconds' like Black suggested.