Dave Bautista In Talks To Play Kratos In ‘God Of War’, Replacing Ryan Hurst In Amazon Series

Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Television are getting a big-name replacement for the lead of their high-profile God of War drama series. Dave Bautista is in negotiations to play Kratos in the adaptation of the popular PlayStation video game.

via: CBM

Ryan Hurst was originally cast as Kratos, but a torn bicep suffered during filming forced Prime Video and Sony to make the difficult decision to recast. If Bautista closes his deal, the studios hope to resume production by this fall.

Prime Video has already handed down a two-season order, which explains why the studios opted to recast rather than delay production into next year as there seems to be a lot riding on the high-profile adaptation. It was also reported earlier today that the roles of Atreus and Thrud are expected to be recast for season two due to an expected time jump that will require older actors.

Bautista is best known to audiences for his role as Drax the Destroyer in Marvel Studios' Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and Thor: Love and Thunder. Outside the MCU, his prominent film and television credits include Smallville, Chuck, The Man with the Iron Fists, Riddick, Spectre, Blade Runner 2049, Hotel Artemis, Escape Plan 2: Hades, Stuber, My Spy, Army of the Dead, Dune, Army of Thieves, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, Knock at the Cabin, Dune: Part Two, The Killer's Game, and The Wrecking Crew.

Before he steps into the world of God of War, Bautista has several other projects in the pipeline. He is currently in post-production on Alpha Gang alongside Cate Blanchett and Chris Pine, and is set to star opposite Jake Gyllenhaal in Road House 2. He will also voice a role in Bong Joon-ho's Ally and is currently filming Chad Stahelski's Henry Cavill-led Highlander reboot.

As for the rest of God of War's season one cast, rumors are swirling that Atreus is also being replaced. Chucky star Callum Vinson was originally cast in the role, but a first look at Hurst and the young actor as the father and son duo faced widespread criticism online.

Hurst was likened to a cosplayer, while Vinson was declared too young (some also, unfortunately, attacked the child actor's looks while pointing out how little he resembled the Atreus from the PlayStation franchise).

As first revealed on GameFragger.com, MP1st is reporting that a casting call has gone out for Atreus, albeit with one significant change. Whereas God of War was originally seeking an Atreus between the ages of 9 and 12, they now want someone between 14 and 17.

This isn't the only shakeup, as Prime Video is seeking an older Thrud—the young Aesir goddess of strength; she's the daughter of Thor and Sif—meaning Out of the Further's Island Austin has lost the role. If Atreus is being aged up, then it stood to reason that the same would happen to Thrud, and Amazon wants an actress between 14 and 17 for her, too. 

These changes to God of War show the brutal side of Hollywood, especially as its two leads have been sent packing after landing arguably the biggest roles of both their respective careers. Whether this speaks to deeper creative issues with the show is hard to say right now.

The series, which has received a two-season order, follows father and son Kratos and Atreus as they embark on a journey to spread the ashes of their wife and mother, Faye. Through their adventures, Kratos tries to teach his son to be a better god, while Atreus tries to teach his father how to be a better human.

The cast is led by Ryan Hurst as Kratos and Callum Vinson as Atreus, with Ed Skrein as Baldur, Max Parker as Heimdall, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Thor, Mandy Patinkin as Odin, Alastair Duncan as Mimir, Jeff Gulka as Sindri, Danny Woodburn as Brok, and Teresa Palmer as Sif. 

God of War is co-produced by Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios in association with PlayStation Productions and Tall Ship Productions. Ronald D. Moore serves as showrunner, executive producer, and writer.

Additional executive producers include Maril Davis, Cory Barlog, Naren Shankar, Matthew Graham, Asad Qizilbash, Jeff Ketcham, Hermen Hulst, Roy Lee, and Brad Van Arragon. Joe Menosky, Marc Bernardin, Tania Lotia, and Ben McGinnis serve as co-executive producers on the series.

God of War is expected to premiere on Prime Video in 2027.

Ronald D. Moore (Outlander; For All Mankind) will serve as showrunner.