Josh Gad to topline, produce “Heavy Duty” Paramount comedy

PanARMENIAN.Net - Josh Gad (“Frozen”) is set to star in and produce a comedy for Paramount titled “Heavy Duty” that is based on his own idea, the studio announced Tuesday, February 9, according to TheWrap.

Disruption Entertainment’s Mary Parent and Cale Boyter will produce with Gad, while Drew Pearce (“Iron Man 3”) will executive produce. Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit (“1600 Penn”) wrote the script.

“Heavy Duty” is the story of an ordinary guy who believes losing weight will help him live a more extraordinary life. He signs up for a wellness retreat with a group of fellow underachievers, only to face an unexpected test when things go awry.

Gad’s upcoming projects include Sony’s animated film “Angry Birds” and Disney’s live-action “Beauty and the Beast.” He’s also attached to star opposite Will Ferrell in STX Entertainment’s Russ Meyer-Roger Ebert comedy “Russ & Roger” and opposite Chadwick Boseman in the indie film “Marshall,” about Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.

Gad was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his role as Elder Cunningham in the Broadway hit “The Book of Mormon.”