Jack Black Is 'Having Lots of Nightmares' Ahead of His Return to Saturday Night Live After 20 Years

Black's last hosting appearance was in December 2005 while promoting his film 'King Kong'

Jack Black attends the World Premiere of "A Minecraft Movie" at the Cineworld Leicester Square on March 30, 2025 in London, England.
Jack Black. Photo:

Neil Mockford/FilmMagic

Jack Black being nervous for his Saturday Night Live return is an understatement. 

Speaking to Variety for the London premiere of his upcoming action comedy, A Minecraft Movie, the 55-year-old actor admitted his April 5 appearance will feel “cray cray” following his 20-year hiatus from Studio 8H.

“​​Just so you know, having lots of nightmares, and night terrors and also fond memories flooding back. It’s crazy, very exciting,” he said.

Black’s last SNL hosting appearance was Dec. 17, 2005, as he promoted King Kong. However, the comedian also hosted in 2002 and 2003.

Jack Black at the premiere of "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" held at Regal L.A. Live on April 1, 2023 in Los Angeles, California
Jack Black, April 2023.

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

“You know what they’re thinking about right now? They are just all in a dead coma from last night’s show,” he added of SNL’s cast and writing crew. “Maybe some of them are thinking of some ideas, but I’m really thinking it’s one of those shows they put together in one week, that’s part of the excitement.”

Despite his pre-show jitters, Black still has nothing but love for “all those kids” at the long-running sketch comedy show.

“I call them kids because I was on that show before some of them were born — except for Kenan [Thompson], we’re around the same age. That’s about it,” he joked of the 46-year-old cast member who has been a staple for 22 seasons.

Though it’s been two decades since Black hosted SNL, he did appear as a musical guest in 2006 with Kyle Gass as part of Tenacious D

Andy Samberg as Glirk, Jack Black as Steve during "Deserted Moon" skit on December 17, 2005
Andy Samberg as Glirk, Jack Black as Steve — 'SNL,' December 2005.

Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

For his April 5 return, Elton John and Brandi Carlile will fill that role.

Black will be promoting A Minecraft Movie, in which he costars opposite Jason Momoa.

During a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, the School of Rock alum and the Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom star, 45, showed up in coordinating custom sweaters

"About a month ago, Jason called me and said, 'I'm gonna make us sweaters. What's your colors?' " Black recalled. "And I told him, I went, 'Blue, green and purple.' And he was like, 'Done. Click.' And here we are."

He added, "Dude, tremendous gift,” while fist-bumping Momoa, who wore a pink and purple mix.

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A Minecraft Movie is based on the popular video game for ages 10 and up. 

In addition to Black and Momoa, the Jared Hess-directed film also stars Jennifer Coolidge, Kate McKinnon, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder's Emma Myers, Orange Is the New Black's Danielle Brooks, up-and-coming actor Sebastian Eugene Hansen and Flight of the Conchords actor Jemaine Clement.

A Minecraft Movie arrives in theaters on April 4.

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