Josh Gad’s new memoir offers some intriguing insight into his career. Along with the highs, the actor shares some of the lower moments, which includes the 2011 comedy Mardi Gras: Spring Break.
In an excerpt from his book, In Gad We Trust, via Entertainment Weekly, the actor explained that he took the role as part of his two-picture deal with Sony and describes it as “the single worst movie I have made – and will hopefully ever make – in my life.” Fortunately it wasn’t all bad. “I had the time of my life shooting in New Orleans with folks like the magnificent Regina Hall and our ferociously funny writer (and now lifelong friend) Josh Heald,” he continued.
12:03
Related
‘The Writer’ Comic Creators Josh Gad and the Berkowitz Brothers Talk Series Collaboration
In this exclusive interview on CBR, Josh Gad and the Berkowitz Brothers detail the ins and outs of their Dark Horse comic series, The Writer.
According to Gad, the studio made things very difficult. “[The] experience of making the film was a waking nightmare, with nonstop studio interference where we would literally have scenes written by the studio head sent for us to do the next day,” the actor recalled. In terms of the script, he said, “Nothing made sense and, worse, it was all big, broad, unmeaningful comedy in which none of the creative team had any say.”
Gad Was Concerned About Typecasting
However, the worst part of the ordeal was the risk of being typecast. “What was worse, however, is that I began to grow really concerned that I was going down a path of playing the loud fat best friend in every project I was doing,” Gad wrote. “While it was certainly starting to pay me more money than I had ever seen before, I was worried that I was getting into a situation of being typecast.”
“Any dreams I had of following in the footsteps of Philip Seymour Hoffman or John Goodman, were soon going to be dashed if I stayed on this path,” Gad added. I knew I needed to branch out and attempt to have people see me in a new and unexpected way.” His concerns were not unfounded since his previous film was the critically acclaimed Love & Other Drugs.
Related
Dark Horse to Release Actor Josh Gad’s Comic Book Debut
Frozen’s Josh Gad makes his comic book writing debut in the upcoming Dark Horse Comics four-issue miniseries, The Writer.
Directed by Phil Dornfield, Mardi Gras: Spring Break received mostly negative reviews from critics due to its lackluster plot. The story follows college friends Mike (Nicholas D’Agosto), Scottie (Bret Harrison), and Bump (Josh Gad), who decide to visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras. When Mike’s girlfriend Erica (Danneel Ackles) opts to tag along, their plans for a wild weekend are thwarted.
Along with the road trip/comedy film, Gad’s book also reveals that Olaf’s original death scene in Frozen II was so brutal that children were left in tears during the film’s initial test screenings. “[I] asked [writer-director Jennifer Lee] how the first test screening went,” he explained. She put on a brave face and said, ‘The adults loved it, but the kids were very confused and very, very sad.’“
In Gad We Trust was released on Jan. 14 and is available to purchase wherever books are sold. Mardi Gras: Spring Break is streaming on Apple TV+.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
The sequel to Disney’s smash hit musical animated film, Frozen II sees the return of Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf as they embark on a new journey to save the kingdom of Arendelle. When Elsa and Anna learn about a betrayal that occurred between their nation and a local tribe in the Enchanted Forest, they discover they must seek the truth about their parents and the origin of Elsa’s powers to stop the rampaging spirits and the takeover of their home.
