Dave Bautista will now play the character of Kratos in the God of War series, which is being prepared for Prime Video. Ryan Hurst, who was previously chosen for this role, had to leave the project due to a significant bicep injury he suffered during filming.

With Bautista joining the team, all Kratos scenes previously filmed with Hurst will be re-recorded. Filming for four episodes of the first season of the series had been completed before this change.

Change in the role of Kratos and the filming process

During filming, which began in Vancouver, Canada in February 2026, Ryan Hurst gained approximately 18 kilograms of muscle mass during his physical preparation for the character. The actor, who tore his bicep during the filming of a stunt scene at the end of June, had to leave the project because his post-surgery recovery process did not coincide with the production schedule.

With Dave Bautista taking on the lead role, the production team is preparing to resume filming in Vancouver. While an official release date hasn’t been announced yet, it’s known that the series has been renewed for two seasons, with plans to film them back-to-back.

57-year-old Dave Bautista, following his professional wrestling career, has made a name for himself in the acting world with productions such as Guardians of the Galaxy, Dune, and Blade Runner 2049. Following discussions that surfaced in early August, the agreement was formalized, and Bautista is now at the center of the project.

Cast and plot details

Callum Vinson plays the character of Atreus, while the cast also includes Mandy Patinkin, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, and Teresa Palmer. Alastair Duncan, whom we know from the game series, will continue to voice the character of Mimir.

The production, written and executive produced by Ronald D. Moore, is based on the Norse mythology era that began with God of War, released in 2018. The story focuses on Kratos and his son Atreus’s journey to scatter Faye’s ashes from the highest peak, and the bond that develops between father and son during this process.

The series, produced by Amazon, MGM Studios, and Sony Pictures Television, draws on the storylines of the God of War and God of War Ragnarök games. The production process will continue with Bautista after the cast change.

Do you think Dave Bautista is the right choice to play the character of Kratos?