Josh Gad Reveals Why He Missed Out on an Avatar Role: Smurf-Gate 2009

Buy Me A Coffee

Josh Gad is opening up about the one time he almost joined Pandora but got blue-balled by James Cameron.

In his hilariously titled memoir, In Gad We Trust (which we can only assume is now a top contender for Book Club of the Year), the 43-year-old actor spills the tea about auditioning for Avatar, the 2009 blockbuster that turned people into obsessive blue alien fans overnight. Spoiler alert: Gad did not end up being one of those blue aliens.

โ€œI put myself on tape,โ€ Josh recalled, likely in his living room with a camera propped on a stack of books because, hey, humble beginnings. โ€œNot long after, I got a call saying James Cameron himself wanted to fly me to LA for a final callback at his Lightstorm production offices.โ€ You know, no big dealโ€”just the King of the World casually summoning you to his cinematic spaceship of a studio.

See also  โ€˜Scream 7โ€™ Adds Michelle Randolph & Jimmy Tatro โ€“ More Potential Victims Confirmed!

The role in question? Jake Sullyโ€™s (played by Sam Worthington) bestie and translator, the guy who would help him understand the Naโ€™vi language, their culture, and probably their questionable tree-climbing safety regulations. Gad was this close to being a part of movie history.

But alas, destiny had other plans, and those plans apparently included traumatizing Josh with someโ€ฆ letโ€™s say, unexpected visual effects.

See also  Josh O'Connor Shakes Off James Bond Rumors Like a Martini (Shaken, Not Stirred)

โ€œI apparently did not get [the role],โ€ Gad explained, โ€œbecause, while James Cameron was thrilled with my audition, when I was turned into a digital Avatar, I supposedly looked like a tall, overweight Smurf.โ€ Thatโ€™s right. A Smurf. Not even a majestic Naโ€™vi warriorโ€”just Papa Smurfโ€™s long-lost cousin who moonlights as a baritone in the Smurf choir.

In the end, the role went to Joel David Moore, who played Norm Spellman, Jake Sullyโ€™s nerdy sidekick and Naโ€™vi linguistics expert. Joel was everything the Naโ€™vi could have hoped forโ€”skinny, appropriately blue, and definitely not giving off โ€œSmurf on steroidsโ€ energy.

See also  Meryl Streep Almost Wasn't Cast in 'The Devil Wears Prada' Because She Didn't Have a Sense of Humor

So, while Gad didnโ€™t get to live his best Naโ€™vi life, he can at least rest easy knowing that his rejection story is chefโ€™s kiss comedy gold. And who knows, maybe thereโ€™s a Smurf reboot with his name on it.

Josh Gad Reveals Why He Missed Out on an Avatar Role: Smurf-Gate 2009

Comments area

Sidebar

Must Read

Sydney Sweeney Also “Almost Died” While Filming ‘Anyone But You’

Sydney Sweeney spilled the beans on a wild escapade...

Penn Badgley Fought HARD to Be Half-Naked in the ‘You’ Finaleโ€”and Honestly, We Respect It

In todayโ€™s episode of Celebrities, Theyโ€™re Just Like Us,...

Mark Wahlberg Tans in Just His Underwear

Get ready to witness Mark Wahlberg turning up the...

TikTok on the Chopping Block: America’s Wildest Game of “Who Gets the Last Scroll”

Breaking news, TikTok lovers: your endless scrolling days might...

Mike Tyson Explains Why He Smacked Jake Paul at Netflix Weigh-In: It Was Toe-tally Justified

In the latest installment of โ€œThings Youโ€™d Only See...

Meghan Markle May Star in a Spinoff of ‘Suits’

The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, might just sprinkle...

You Might Also Like

Bad Bunny and Kendall Jenner Have a Romantic Breakfast Date

Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny, the dynamic duo of...

All About Meghan Markle’s Extravagant Lunch With a Friend in Montecito

The Duchess of Sussex pulled off a stealthy mission...

Khalid Claps Back at Exโ€™s Allegations, Drama Level: High School Cafeteria

Khalid, the 26-year-old โ€œYoung Dumb & Brokeโ€ singer, found...

‘Drag Race’ Star Detox Comes Out As Trans

The legendary Detox, who you may remember from snatching...

Jamie Dornan Reflects On His Acting Career During ‘Hot Ones’

Jamie Dornan, the man who made millions blush in...