Actor Josh Gad revealed that his “Love & Other Drugs” co-star Jake Gyllenhaal warned him against pursuing a role in “The Book of Mormon,” the raunchy musical-comedy from creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. During a drive home from set, Gyllenhaal listened to a demo of the show’s opening number, initially enjoying it but quickly becoming uneasy as the tracks progressed.
Gad shared that Gyllenhaal’s initial reaction was one of joyful enthusiasm before shifting to abject fear and terror. When asked who wrote the material, Gad replied that it was the “South Park” creators. Despite Gyllenhaal’s reservations, Gad went on to join the production, enjoying a 15-month stint in the role of Elder Cunningham and earning a Tony nomination for best actor.
Gad made light of Gyllenhaal’s initial reaction, poking fun at his co-star’s concern that the show might be too controversial. The actor has taken a tongue-in-cheek approach to the project, referencing the original quote from the show: “Don’t mock God, He will not be mocked.” However, Gad also expressed skepticism about the show’s portrayal of Mormonism, suggesting that it is one of the more mockable religions.
Source: https://variety.com/2025/film/news/jake-gyllenhaal-warned-josh-gad-the-book-of-mormon-trey-parker-matt-stone-1236278130