Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Television are reportedly looking to Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy, Dune) to take over the role of Kratos in Prime Video’s upcoming ‘God of War’ series, after Ryan Hurst (Sons of Anarchy, The Walking Dead) suffered an injury during filming.
Bautista is currently in negotiations for the lead role, rather than officially signed, but he would bring plenty of experience with physically demanding action projects. Alongside his professional wrestling career, the actor has tackled roles across the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Dune films and Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead.
The recasting comes after Hurst tore a bicep while performing a stunt on set in late June. The injury required surgery and is expected to involve a lengthy recovery period, leaving the production unable to continue with its original schedule.
Filming on ‘God of War’ was paused following the accident, with the decision reportedly made a few weeks later to recast Kratos. Preparations are now expected to resume in August ahead of a planned October return to production in Vancouver.
Honestly, this one just feels incredibly rough for Hurst. He seemed like inspired casting for Kratos, and losing the role because of an on-set injury, rather than any creative decision or performance issue, is a horrible bit of luck.
Former WWE star Bautista certainly has the physical presence required for the part, although his casting could result in a noticeably different interpretation of the character. He has also recently completed work on the new Highlander movie, another physically demanding fantasy production which required him to bulk up for the role.
The series began filming in February and already has a two-season order, with both seasons still expected to shoot back-to-back. Ronald D. Moore serves as writer, executive producer and showrunner on the adaptation.
Based on the more recent Norse mythology era of PlayStation’s hugely successful game franchise, ‘God of War’ follows Kratos and his son Atreus, played by Callum Vinson (Chucky), as they journey to spread the ashes of their wife and mother, Faye.
During their travels, Kratos attempts to teach Atreus how to become a better god, while Atreus tries to help his father become a better human. Presumably, there will also be quite a lot of monster smashing, axe throwing and extremely complicated family drama along the way.
The wider cast includes Mandy Patinkin (Homeland, The Princess Bride) as Odin, Ed Skrein (Deadpool, Rebel Moon) as Baldur, Max Parker (Emmerdale, Vampire Academy) as Heimdall, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson (The Tourist, Severance) as Thor and Teresa Palmer (A Discovery of Witches, Warm Bodies) as Sif.
Alastair Duncan (The Batman, Batman Unlimited), who voices Mimir in the PlayStation games, will reprise that role for the live-action adaptation. Jeff Gulka (The X-Files, Stan Helsing) plays Sindri, while Danny Woodburn (Seinfeld, Watchmen) takes on the role of Brok.
Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios produce ‘God of War’ in association with PlayStation Productions and Moore’s Tall Ship Productions. Executive producers include Moore, Maril Davis, Cory Barlog, Naren Shankar, Matthew Graham, Asad Qizilbash, Jeff Ketcham, Hermen Hulst, Roy Lee and Brad Van Arragon.
‘God of War’ does not yet have a confirmed premiere date on Prime Video.
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