Ryan Hurst to be recast as Kratos after God of War set injury

Amazon Studios’ God of War series is changing its Kratos before the show has even made it to screen, after star Ryan Hurst was injured during production.

TMZ reported that Hurst, who had been cast as Kratos in the video game adaptation, tore his bicep while filming a stunt. According to TMZ, the injury requires surgery.

Deadline later reported that the role will be recast because Hurst’s recovery timeline would keep production waiting too long. TMZ reported it had heard Hurst might not be able to return to filming until next year.

The series has been shooting in Vancouver, according to TMZ. No replacement for Hurst was named in the reports.

A brutal break for Kratos

Hurst is widely known for his work on Sons of Anarchy. His exit from the lead role is a major shake-up for Amazon’s adaptation of one of gaming’s best-known action franchises.

Kratos is the central figure in God of War, the warrior at the heart of the franchise. Hurst had been set to carry that role before the on-set injury halted the plan.

Deadline’s report says the recast is meant to let production get moving sooner. TMZ described the recovery window as too far out for Amazon Studios’ schedule.

Who else is in the cast

The show’s reported cast also includes Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Thor and Mandy Patinkin as Odin, according to TMZ.

The production is tied to Prime, with image credits from Leah Gallo and Prime accompanying TMZ’s report. The story is another reminder that big-budget genre television can come with big physical demands, especially when stunt work is involved.

Hurst’s injury was first reported by TMZ, which said production had been halted after the stunt incident. Deadline then reported the recasting decision for the Kratos role.

Amazon Studios has not announced a new Kratos in the reports cited, leaving the next lead of God of War still unknown.

This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.