Takeaways:
- Josh Gad auditioned for James Cameron’s Avatar but didn’t get the part due to his CGI avatar’s appearance.
- Joel David Moore ultimately played the role of Norm Spellman, while Gad found success in Broadway and film.
- James Cameron continues to push boundaries with the Avatar franchise, with upcoming sequels on the horizon.
Josh Gad recently opened up about a missed opportunity in his career: a role in James Cameron’s 2009 science-fiction blockbuster Avatar. In his memoir In Gad We Trust, the actor revealed details about his audition process and the humorous reason he believes he didn’t make the cut.
Gad, 43, recounted that he auditioned for the role of Norm Spellman while starring in his debut Broadway musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The actor’s deal with the musical’s producer allowed him to leave the production if he landed a role in a film or TV project. This led to his audition for Avatar, where he says James Cameron was impressed with his performance.
The Role That Got Away
Gad shared that after submitting a taped audition, he was invited to Los Angeles for a final callback at Cameron’s Lightstorm production offices. Despite the director’s positive feedback, Gad learned that his digital CGI avatar—a key step in the casting process—didn’t align with the vision for the character.
“While James Cameron was said to be thrilled with my audition, when I was turned into a digital Avatar, I supposedly looked like a tall, overweight Smurf,” Gad wrote humorously in his memoir. Ultimately, Joel David Moore was cast as Norm Spellman, a human scientist with a Na’vi avatar, alongside Sam Worthington’s Jake Sully.
From Broadway to Hollywood
Although he missed out on Avatar, Gad’s career trajectory didn’t falter. He gained acclaim on Broadway with The Book of Mormon and achieved global recognition as the voice of Olaf in Disney’s Frozen franchise. Meanwhile, Moore reprised his role as Norm in Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) and is set to appear in future sequels, including Avatar: Fire and Ash slated for release in December.
James Cameron’s Vision for Avatar
The Avatar franchise is renowned for its groundbreaking visuals and storytelling. Thirteen years after the release of the original film, Cameron delivered The Way of Water, which became another box-office giant. As the filmmaker prepares for the third installment, he remains committed to taking creative risks.
“If you’re not making brave choices, you’re wasting everybody’s time and money,” Cameron told Empire Magazine. “You’ve got to break the mold every fricking time.”
This bold approach ensures that Avatar continues to captivate audiences worldwide. With three more sequels planned, the franchise shows no signs of slowing down.
Josh Gad’s Latest Projects
While Avatar didn’t pan out, Gad’s career has flourished. He recently starred in the series Wolf Like Me and lent his voice to the 2023 comedy Strays. Fans can also look forward to his collaboration with Mel Brooks on the sequel to the 1987 classic Spaceballs.
