Josh Gad Saved 'Olaf From Being Murdered,' Director Wanted To Cut The Character

“Frozen” quickly became one of Disney’s biggest animated movies. Starring Kristen Bell(Anna), Idina Menzel (Elsa), Josh Gad (Olaf), Jonathan Groff (Kristoff), and others, the award-winning film became so popular that the company went on to release a sequel within a few years, “Frozen 2.”

But, the "Frozen" co-director, Jennifer Lee, is now admitting that she wanted to axe one of the beloved characters.

The chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation and co-director of "Frozen," Jennifer Lee, recently admitted that she wanted to get rid of Olaf when she first came on board the project.

“My first note was, ‘kill the snowman'," she said as she accepted the Distinguished Storyteller Award from the Los Angeles Press Club on Sunday night at the 15th annual Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards. Oddly enough, the honor was presented to her by the voice of Olaf himself, actor Josh Gad.

Josh Gad, the famous voice behind the lovable snowman, reTweeted the Variety article, saying he is thankful he saved Olaf from being "murdered."

"Grateful that I saved Olaf from being murdered," Gad Tweeted.

https://twitter.com/joshgad/status/1599933661960634368?s=20&t=tMIUJHz_NTtPcwmhdhfgdQhttps://twitter.com/joshgad/status/1599933661960634368?s=20&t=tMIUJHz_NTtPcwmhdhfgdQ

Obviously, Olaf was saved thanks to the voice actor, Josh Gad, and a “sneaky” staff animator, who had previously worked on a three-page script with Gad specifically in mind for the character. Gad went on to impress the filmmakers with a late-night television appearance, and Lee instantly fell in love with the actor, and Olaf was saved.

Josh Gad was inducted into the Disney Legends earlier this year at the D23 Expo. During his acceptance speech, which was hilarious, yet sentimental, he admitted most of his inspiration came from the late Robin Williams as he watched him portray the lovable character, Genie, in Disney's "Aladdin."

But the ending of his speech is what had the audience up from their seats and roaring with applause.

"And finally, to the person who rejected me at Disney Casting Headquarters in Orlando, Florida when I was 18 years old and applying to be a Jungle Cruise Skipper — true story — please make sure to update my resume to Disney Legend Josh Gad," he said before walking away from the podium.

“Frozen” made over a billion dollars worldwide and, according to Box Office Mojo, it is ranked as the sixth highest-grossing film of 2013. The film is described as:

Walt Disney Animation Studios, the studio behind "Tangled" and "Wreck-It Ralph," presents "Frozen," a stunning big-screen comedy adventure. Fearless optimist Anna (voice of Kristen Bell) sets off on an epic journey—teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff (voice of Jonathan Groff) and his loyal reindeer Sven—to find her sister Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel), whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom.

Thanks to its success, Disney released a sequel, “Frozen 2,” in 2019, which also stars, Kristen Bell (Anna), Idina Menzel (Elsa), Josh Gad (Olaf), Jonathan Groff (Kristoff), and is described as:

Why was Elsa born with magical powers? What truths about the past await Elsa as she ventures into the unknown to the enchanted forests and dark seas beyond Arendelle? The answers are calling her but also threatening her kingdom. Together with Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven, she’ll face a dangerous but remarkable journey. In “Frozen,” Elsa feared her powers were too much for the world. In “Frozen 2,” she must hope they are enough.

Both films are currently streaming on Disney’s streaming service, Disney+.