UPDATE: Dave Bautista (The Wrecking Crew) is officially taking on one of gaming’s most iconic roles, as the former WWE star has closed a deal to play Kratos in Amazon Prime Video’s live-action God of War series. He replaces Ryan Hurst, who was forced to leave the production after suffering a serious injury on set.
The recasting comes after Hurst tore his bicep while performing a stunt during production in Vancouver in June. The actor underwent surgery and faced a lengthy recovery, prompting Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Television to move forward with a new actor rather than delay the series until Hurst was able to return.
Bautista emerged as the studios’ choice after entering negotiations for the role earlier this month. The actor brings plenty of experience playing physically imposing characters, having starred as Drax in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy films and Glossu Rabban in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune movies. His background as a professional wrestler and action performer also makes him a natural fit for the physically demanding role of the Spartan warrior-turned-god.
The series is based on Sony’s acclaimed God of War video game franchise and follows Kratos and his young son, Atreus, after the death of Faye, Kratos’ wife and Atreus’ mother. The pair embark on a dangerous journey to fulfill her final wish by spreading her ashes from the highest peak in the realms. Along the way, Kratos must confront the ghosts of his violent past while attempting to become a better father to his son.
Bautista joins a previously announced ensemble that includes Callum Vinson as Atreus, Mandy Patinkin as Odin, Ed Skrein as Baldur, Teresa Palmer as Sif, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Thor, Max Parker as Heimdall, Alastair Duncan as Mimir, Jeff Gulka as Sindri and Danny Woodburn as Brok.
God of War has received a two-season order, with Ronald D. Moore serving as showrunner, writer and executive producer. Production began in Vancouver earlier this year before being paused following Hurst’s injury. Four episodes had reportedly been completed, with the recasting expected to require substantial reshoots involving Bautista.
The casting represents a major change for the highly anticipated adaptation. Hurst had undergone an extensive physical transformation for the role, reportedly adding around 40 pounds of muscle to portray Kratos. Bautista will now step into the role as Amazon prepares to resume production and bring the beloved PlayStation franchise to live action.
SOURCE: Deadline
UPDATE: Sons of Anarchy’s Ryan Hurst has officially been cast as Kratos in God of War!
Hurst previously provided the voice for Thor in PlayStation’s God of War Ragnarök video game.
SOURCE: Prime Video
A live-action adaptation of Sony Playstation’s hit video game franchise God of War has been ordered to series on Amazon’s Prime Video.
Rafe Judkins (Wheel of Time) will serve as showrunner and executive producer on the series with Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby (Iron Man) writing the script and executive producing. The show is a co-production between Amazon Studios and Sony Picture Television in association with PlayStation Productions.
For those unfamiliar with the video game, it follows Kratos, the God of War, who, after exiling himself from his blood-soaked past in ancient Greece, hangs up his weapons forever in the Norse realm of Midgard. When his beloved wife dies, Kratos sets off on a dangerous journey with his estranged son Atreus to spread her ashes from the highest peak — his wife’s final wish. Kratos soon realizes the journey is an epic quest in disguise, one which will test the bonds between father and son, and force Kratos to battle new gods and monsters for the fate of the world.
Who would you cast as Kratos? Comment below!
SOURCE: Variety
