Jack Black Says Tenacious D will ‘be back’ after fallout from controversial Trump comment
"We need to take a break. Everybody needs a break sometime.”
After cancelling all the remaining dates on Tenacious D‘s Spicy Meatball Tour in July, Jack Black told Variety on Tuesday that the comedy duo “will be back.”
When speaking to the publication at the Borderlands premiere, Black said, “We need to take a break. Everybody needs a break sometime.” He added, “And we’ll be back.”
Last month, during the comedy duo’s performance in Sydney, Australia, bandmate Kyle Gass made a birthday wish onstage: “Don’t miss Trump next time,” referring to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. Following the incident, right-wing politicians in Australia called for Tenacious D’s deportation.
In a statement, Gass issued a since-deleted apology. “The line I improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake. I don’t condone violence of any kind, in any form, against anymore,” he wrote. “What happened was a tragedy, and I’m incredibly sorry for my severe lack of judgement. I profoundly apologize to those I’ve let down and truly regret and pain I’ve caused.” Gass was later dropped by his talent agent, Michael Greene of Greene Talent.
In a separate statement, Black said that he “was blindsided” by Gass’ comments and that he “would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form.” Black also announced that Tenacious D was cancelling its tour and that “all future creative plans are on hold.”
Speaking to Variety on Tuesday, Black was asked if he had spoken to his longtime friend and bandmate since. “Yeah, we’re friends,” replied Black. “That hasn’t changed. These things take time sometimes … And we’ll be back when it feels right.”
“Look what I wore today: I wore the Pick of Destiny,” Black continued “I love Tenacious D. It’s probably my favorite job, if you can call it that. It’s a work of art, it’s my baby.”
Borderlands, which releases this Friday, features an all-star cast including Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Munteanu, and Black, who voices the robot Claptrap.