Josh Gad opens up in his new memoir, In Gad We Trust, about his near-casting in James Cameron’s 2009 sci-fi blockbuster Avatar, only to be turned down due to his appearance in the Na’vi digital transformation.
While seeking a break from his Broadway role in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Gad auditioned for Avatar, aiming to play Jake Sully’s best friend and Na’vi translator. He was thrilled when he received a callback and was even flown out to Los Angeles for a final audition. Despite positive feedback from Cameron, Gad was ultimately not cast.
“I apparently didn’t get [the role] because, while James Cameron was thrilled with my audition, when I was turned into a digital Avatar, I supposedly looked like a tall, overweight Smurf,” Gad humorously recalled.
The role of Norm Spellman eventually went to Joel David Moore, who portrayed the character in the film.
Avatar became the highest-grossing film of all time, earning $2.9 billion worldwide. Its sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water, also saw massive success with $2.3 billion in earnings. The third installment, Avatar: Fire and Ash, is set to release on December 19, 2025.