UPDATE: Dave Bautista Is Officially The New Kratos In Amazon’s God Of War Series

Update: August 21, 9:46 a.m. ET: Variety reports that Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy, Dune, Knock at the Cabin) has been officially cast as Kratos in Amazon Prime’s live-action God of War series. 

Bautista will replace the original Kratos actor, Ryan Hurst, who was dropped from the role after suffering a bicep tear while filming last month (waiting for Hurst’s recovery would have delayed production until 2027). Variety had previously reported Amazon MGM and Sony Pictures Television initiated talks with Bautista about stepping into the role, and with this confirmation, the adaptation of the 2018 God of War game is expected to resume filming in the next few weeks (with Ryan Hurst’s previously filmed scenes requiring reshoots). 

The original story continues below.

Original Story, August 3, 5:48 p.m. ET: Production of Amazon Prime’s live-action God of War TV series halted last month after Kratos actor Ryan Hurst suffered a bicep tear while filming. Since Hurst will require months of rehab following his surgery, Amazon is recasting his role. Variety reports that Dave Bautista may be filling those shoes.

According to Variety’s sources, Bautista is in talks with Amazon to portray Kratos in the upcoming series. Bautista, a former WWE star, is best known for portraying Drax in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise and the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe, but has notable roles in the Dune series, Blade Runner 2049, Glass Onion, Knock at the Cabin, Army of the Dead, The Killer’s Game, and is set to appear in Road House 2 and Highlander. Bautista is no stranger to the world of video games, as he appeared in Gears 5 as a model swap for Marcus Fenix (after the actor campaigned to portray the character in a movie). 

Ryan Hurst as Kratos in a God of War on-set photo

Deadline had previously reported that four episodes of God of War had been filmed at the time of Hurst’s injury; it’s unknown if those episodes will ever see the light of day. 

The rest of God of War’s cast so far remains the same, which includes Callum Vinson as Atreus, Ed Skrein as Baldur, Max Parker as Heimdall, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Thor, Mandy Patinkin as Odin, Alastair Duncan as Mimir, Danny Woodburn as Brok, and Jeff Gulka as Sindri. The series will adapt the 2018 God of War and has received a two-season order. 

For more on God of War, the next entry in the series, God of War Laufey, recently got a February release date. 

[Source: Variety]