"We All Have to Grow Up": Josh Gad's Daughter Shaped Olaf's Story in "Frozen 2"

Storytellers take from their own lives to craft movies relatable to everyone that sees it. One great example of this fact is Olaf’s story arc in Frozen 2.

Josh Gad, the voice behind the beloved snowman, recently shared how a moment with his daughter ended up shaping Olaf’s journey. It was a moment his daughter had the epiphany that nothing lasts and we all have to grow up.

Gad wrote on Instagram:

“Four years ago, during dinner one night our beautiful little girl had a huge epiphany that shook her to her core…we all have to grow up. This heartbreaking moment is something I never shared publicly before because it was so personal. Our Nanny at the time, Sara, did such a remarkable job helping guide her through this difficult ‘coming of age’ moment and I constantly look back at it as a reminder of the fragility of youth and our struggle to make sense of our place in this rapid world.”

Josh Gad — Credit: Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

He went on to explain that when he shared this story with Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee saying how he wanted his daughter’s story to be Olaf’s story, the wholeheartedly agreed.

You can read the full post here:

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Four years ago, during dinner one night our beautiful little girl had a huge epiphany that shook her to her core…we all have to grow up. This heartbreaking moment is something I never shared publicly before because it was so personal. Our Nanny at the time, Sara, did such a remarkable job helping guide her through this difficult “coming of age” moment and I constantly look back at it as a reminder of the fragility of youth and our struggle to make sense of our place in this rapid world. It just so happens that I shared this video with our brilliant Frozen 2 team at the time and said, I believe this should be Olaf’s journey in Frozen 2. I’m beyond grateful they felt the same way because growing up is so very hard and all of us have this moment at some point in our lives. I’m also beyond thankful that we were able to capture such a monumental moment and that I can share it now with all of you who either have children or were once children asking that very same question…”why do I have to be a grownup?” Hope you take from it as much as I have. As a side note, that is the voice of my other child in the bg missing the plot completely and focusing instead on watching a DVD of “Peter Pan.”

A post shared by Josh Gad (@joshgad) on Jan 5, 2020 at 11:27pm PST

Gad spoke about how his daughter Ava inspired the story with The Hollywood Reporter back in November 2019. “I showed it to [‘Frozen 2’ directors] Chris [Buck] and Jennifer [Lee],” he said, “who both had smiles on their faces. I think that they both had the same instincts — that it was time for Olaf to grow up.”

Related: The End Credit Scene from Frozen 2 that you missed (and has Olaf fans rushing back to theaters)!

Gad also wrote about how grateful he was for Buck and Lee’s decision.

He said:

“I’m beyond grateful they felt the same way because growing up is so very hard and all of us have this moment at some point in our lives. I’m also beyond thankful that we were able to capture such a monumental moment and that I can share it now with all of you who either have children or were once children asking that very same question…’why do I have to be a grownup?’ Hope you take from it as much as I have.”

Frozen 2 is continuing its theatrical run, becoming the highest-grossing animated movie ever.

What do you think of Olaf’s inspiration? Have you experienced this moment with your kids? Let us know in the comments!

Source: GMA