Josh Gad Reveals He Lost 'Avatar' Role Over Digital Na'vi Appearance

The actor's memoir shares how James Cameron praised his audition but ultimately passed on him after his CGI transformation resembled 'a tall, overweight Smurf.'

Josh Gad auditioned for the role of Norm Spellman in James Cameron's 2009 blockbuster 'Avatar,' which ultimately went to Joel David Moore.
In his memoir 'In Gad We Trust,' Gad writes that Cameron was impressed with his audition but decided against casting him after seeing the CGI version of him as a Na'vi.
The actor humorously describes his digital Na'vi appearance as resembling 'a tall, overweight Smurf,' which he believes influenced the casting decision.
Gad reflects on the audition as one of his first attempts to transition from Broadway to film, prior to his later success in projects like 'Frozen' and 'The Book of Mormon.'
Cameron's 'Avatar' franchise has since become the highest-grossing film series, with three more sequels in development, including the upcoming 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' slated for December 2025.