‘OLAF PRESENTS’ – Josh Gad Opens Up About What Keeps Him Excited About Playing Olaf

Josh Gad has provided the voice of Olaf for ten years. Having first voiced the character in the hit Disney/Pixar animated film Frozen, Gad has lent his voice once more in Olaf Presents. An animated short available now on Disney Plus.

Photo Credit: Walt Disney Animation Studios

In a recent press conference, Gad opened up about his favorite parts about retelling Olaf’s story:

“Um, uh, you know, revisiting moments from all of the films was a joy. But specifically, the movies I grew up with, uh, uh, selfishly. So, I was at that perfect age during the second golden age of Disney Animation. I remember seeing The Little Mermaid in the theatre and being, like, what is this? Why? It feels like a Broadway show on screen. It was like the first time I can remember applauding in a theatre, uh, after the songs were done. So, getting to go back and-and specifically revisit those films, uh, was a dream come true.”

Jen Newfield, a producer for Olaf Presents; also chimed in:

“I think, uh, you have, mine was gonna be listening to Josh sing A Whole New World [LAUGH] but in Olaf’s voice.”

Photo Credit: Walt Disney Animation Studios

Gad also talked about what’s kept him loving this character for the past ten years:

“He’s innocent and-and has so many questions. And then in Frozen Two, he’s sort of an adolescent, and he starts to go through this, like, existential kind of crisis. And I think in each of the shorts and along the way, there’s this subtle growth happening in him that I think is important to keeping him, um, interesting and dynamic, so that it never feels like you’re just seeing him do the same thing again and again. That there are new wrinkles.”

Gad also shared:

“It’s always getting to find new wrinkles in this character that is, uh, full of imagination, full of innocence and naivete, and approaches everything with a glass is half full mentality. But on top of that, juxtaposing it with the joy of getting to sort of send up if you will, some of my favorite films. That was the real, uh, privilege and-and fun, and thrill for me.”

Olaf Presents is available now on Disney+.

In “Olaf Presents,” Olaf steps into the spotlight and goes from snowman to showman as he takes on the roles of producer, actor, costumer and set builder for his unique “retelling” of five favorite Disney animated tales in “Olaf Presents,” a series of new animated shorts from Walt Disney Animation Studios. The charismatic and versatile Olaf demonstrates his theatrical flair, taking on such iconic roles as a mermaid, a genie, a lion king (and most of the parts in between), as he entertains Arendelle with his delightful abbreviated versions of these beloved tales. Josh Gad returns to voice Olaf with veteran Disney animator Hyrum Osmond directing and Jennifer Newfield producing.

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