Brad Bird has revealed that Syndrome was originally meant to die in the opening scene of The Incredibles, before becoming the film’s main villain. The abandoned idea led Bird to recognise the character’s potential, helping turn a conventional superhero story into one centred on Mr Incredible’s regret, ego and past mistakes.

In the alternate opening, the Parrs had already entered witness protection after superheroes were forced into hiding, while villains hunted retired heroes under their civilian identities. Bird said audiences preferred the briefly appearing Syndrome to his intended antagonist, and later developed Buddy Pine’s resentment after drawing inspiration from Burt Ward’s autobiography; The Incredibles films are streaming on Disney+, while a third film is in development.