We nearly had a very different Avatar film.
Actor Josh Gad, searching for a new role out of his musical theater contract, managed to snag himself an audition for James Cameron’s Avatar movie back in the day.
Gad, whose memoir features stories from his varied roles—in this case, almost roles—in the entertainment business, detailed how it went down.
Gad made an initial audition tape and was invited to further auditions in person. Unfortunately for him, some pictures helped the director visualize him as one of the blue skinned Na’vi characters.
“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.”
Gad would have had the role as Norm Spellman, sidekick to the hero of the film Jake Scully, and expert on the Na’vi language.
Some folks reluctantly agreed with the casting director.
Others had a generous view of the situation.
The discussion devolved into Na’vi bodies and aesthetics.
One commenter summed up this example of an unfortunate reality in Hollywood.
For more anecdotes about his journey in entertainment, Gad’s memoir is available in bookstores.
