Josh Gad REVEALS Why He Missed Out On A Role In James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’

Josh Gad reveals why James Cameron didn’t cast him in Avatar. What went wrong? Find out the hilarious twist behind the "tall, overweight Smurf" comment and more insights from his memoir!

Hollywood actor Josh Gad, known for his work in Frozen and Broadway’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, recently revealed in his memoir In Gad We Trust that he came close to joining James Cameron’s 2009 sci-fi blockbuster Avatar. Reflecting on his audition experience, Josh shared how he nearly secured the role of Jake Sully’s best friend and translator to the Na’vi.

“I put myself on tape and shortly thereafter got a call that Cameron wanted to fly me to Los Angeles for a final callback at his Lightstorm production offices,” Josh recalled. However, the excitement didn’t last long. Despite impressing Cameron, his digital transformation into an Avatar reportedly did not meet expectations. “I apparently did not get [the role] because, 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,” he said.

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The role ultimately went to Joel David Moore, who portrayed Norm Spellman, a Na’vi language expert and close ally of Jake Sully. Gad admitted to feeling disappointed but took the experience in stride.

Avatar went on to become the highest-grossing film of all time, earning $2.9 billion globally. Its sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water, released in 2022, has also made a mark with $2.3 billion in lifetime earnings. Fans are now eagerly awaiting the third installment, Avatar: Fire and Ash, set to release on December 19, 2025.

While Josh Gad missed the chance to be part of the iconic film, his humorous recount of the incident shows his ability to reflect on career setbacks with grace and wit.

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