Paramount Pictures is launching development of Josh Gad‘s weight-loss comedy “Heavy Duty,” based on the actor’s original idea.

Gad will star in the film based on the script by Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit (“1600 Penn,” “Super Fun Night”). He will also produce with Disruption Entertainment’s Mary Parent and Cale Boyter.

Drew Pearce (“Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation”) will exec produce. No director is attached.

“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 is attached to star alongside Will Ferrell in STX’s “Russ and Roger” and alongside Chadwick Boseman in the biopic about Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.

Gad was nominated for a Tony Award for best leading actor in a musical for Broadway hit “The Book of Mormon.”

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Gad is represented by WME Entertainment, Lighthouse Management & Media and Ziffren Brittenham. Hernandez and Samit are represented by UTA, 3 Arts and Jackoway Tyerman.

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