Dave Bautista set to play Kratos in Prime Video’s God of War series
Variety reports Dave Bautista will lead Prime Video’s God of War after Ryan Hurst’s injury forced a recast.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
2 min read
Dave Bautista Kratos God of War casting has moved ahead, with Variety reporting that Bautista is set to lead Prime Video’s live-action series as Kratos.
The report, published Aug. 20, follows an earlier update in which Variety and Deadline said Bautista was only in talks or negotiations for the part. No statement from Prime Video, Amazon MGM Studios, Sony or Bautista appears in the reporting provided.
Why was Ryan Hurst replaced as Kratos?
Ryan Hurst had previously been announced for the role in January, according to Variety. Deadline reported that Hurst tore a bicep while performing a stunt on set in late June, an injury that required surgery and a lengthy recovery.
Production paused after the injury, Deadline reported. Variety said the recovery would have pushed a restart into 2027, leading Amazon and Sony, which is co-producing the show, to recast Kratos.
Filming had begun in Vancouver in February. Variety now reports that production is expected to resume in the coming weeks, and that scenes already filmed with Hurst will have to be shot again.
What will Prime Video’s God of War series cover?
The adaptation draws from the two most recent God of War games, Variety reported. Kratos and his son Atreus set out to scatter the ashes of Faye, their wife and mother, while confronting gods from Norse mythology.
Callum Vinson remains attached to play Atreus, according to Variety. The reported ensemble also includes Mandy Patinkin as Odin, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Thor, Max Parker as Heimdall, Alastair Duncan as Mimir, Danny Woodburn and Jeff Gulka as Brok and Sindri, and Ed Skrein as Baldur.
Prime Video has ordered two seasons, which are intended to film back-to-back, Variety reported. Ronald D. Moore is the showrunner, writer and executive producer. Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios are producing with PlayStation Productions and Moore’s Tall Ship Productions.
There is no release date in the reporting. For now, the immediate change is at the center of the series: Variety now reports Bautista is set to play Kratos as the production prepares to restart.
This story draws on original reporting from Variety.