Amazon MGM’s live-action God of War television adaptation may have found a new Kratos. Dave Bautista, the former professional wrestler and actor known for Guardians of the Galaxy, Dune and Knock at the Cabin, is reportedly negotiating to join the Prime Video series.
The casting is not official. Bautista would replace Ryan Hurst, who was originally cast as Kratos. Hurst suffered an on-set injury several months into production, requiring surgery and an extended recovery. Amazon MGM reportedly chose to recast the role instead of delaying the production until his recovery.
Deadline reports that Bautista is expected to come aboard after completing the Highlander remake, for which he increased his size. In recent years, the actor has also slimmed down while pursuing roles beyond the physically imposing characters that established his screen career.
More recasting for season two
The reported change to Kratos follows further recasting news for the series. Callum Vinson’s role as Atreus and Island Austin’s role as Thrud will be played by different actors in the show’s second season.
The television story centres on Kratos and his son, Atreus, as they travel to spread the ashes of Faye, their wife and mother. During the journey, Kratos attempts to teach Atreus how to become a better god, while Atreus challenges his father to become a better human.
The announced cast also includes Mandy Patinkin as Odin, Ed Skrein as Baldur, Max Parker as Heimdall, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Thor, Teresa Palmer as Sif, Alastair Duncan as Mimir, Jeff Gulka as Sindri and Danny Woodburn as Brok.
God of War series plans
Ronald D. Moore, whose credits include Battlestar Galactica and Outlander, is the showrunner, writer and an executive producer. Maril Davis, Cory Barlog, Naren Shankar, Matthew Graham, Asad Qizilbash, Jeff Ketcham, Hermen Hulst, Roy Lee and Brad Van Arragon are also executive producers.
Emmy Award-winning director Frederick E.O. Toye, known for Shōgun and Fallout, is set to direct the first two episodes. The series has been ordered for two seasons and will stream on Prime Video.
The production released an initial teaser in February, at a time when Hurst was still leading the project. Away from television, the next game, God of War Laufey, is scheduled to arrive in February 2027. Kratos will then headline a subsequent Santa Monica Studio God of War game, although that project has no announced title or release date.
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