Production for the second season will resume this fall

Dave Bautista; Ryan HurstCredit: Jon Kopaloff/Getty;Craig Barritt/Getty
Dave Bautista; Ryan Hurst
Credit: Jon Kopaloff/Getty;Craig Barritt/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

  • Dave Bautista has been announced as the replacement for Ryan Hurst as Kratos in God of War
  • The move comes after Hurst suffered a bicep injury requiring surgery during filming
  • The series, based on the popular PlayStation game, follows father and son Kratos and Atreus on a mythological journey of growth and loss

God of War has a new Kratos.

On Thursday, Aug. 20, Dave Bautista was announced as the replacement for Ryan Hurst in the Prime series after the 50-year-old star suffered an on-set injury in June, a rep for Amazon confirmed to PEOPLE.

Dave Bautista attends the 97th Annual Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 02, 2025 in HollywoodCredit: Frazer Harrison/WireImage
Dave Bautista attends the 97th Annual Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 02, 2025 in Hollywood
Credit: Frazer Harrison/WireImage

Bautista, 57, is now listed on Amazon MGM Studios’ official website as part of the show’s cast.

God of War follows father and son Kratos and Atreus (Callum Vinson) as they embark on a journey to spread the ashes of their wife and mother, Faye (played by Sonya Walger),” per a series logline. “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 show is based on PlayStation’s massively popular ancient mythology-themed video game, and will resume production for its second season this fall.

Hurt’s casting was initially announced back in January, and he expressed gratitude for the role in an Instagram post.

“Used to play as him. Now I get to be him,” Hurst captioned a snap of him sitting on a sofa while watching a God of War screen. “Grateful to pick up the axe, and honored by the fans who made this story legendary.”

Prime Video made a similar announcement on social media the day prior, introducing its audiences to the actor.

Production began in Vancouver in February, but months later, his time as Kratos came to an end.

In June, the Sons of Anarchy alum tore a bicep doing a stunt and underwent surgery.

Hurst was officially set to be recast in July, after it became apparent that his recovery could take a while, per The Hollywood Reporter at the time. The show’s cast and crew had been made aware of the decision, per the outlet.

Ryan Hurst and Callum Vinson as live-action Kratos and Atreus in ‘God of War’ TV seriesCredit: Leah Gallo/Prime Video
Ryan Hurst and Callum Vinson as live-action Kratos and Atreus in ‘God of War’ TV series
Credit: Leah Gallo/Prime Video

While God of War had already filmed four episodes, production is expected to undergo extensive reshoots.

Hurst had put on 40 pounds of muscle during a physical transformation after getting the role, Deadline reported in July amid recasting news.

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His recovery process would have reportedly been longer than the production shooting schedule could accommodate.

Previously announced cast members include Mandy Patinkin as Odin, Ed Skrein as Baldur, Max Parker as Heimdall, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Thor, Teresa Palmer as Sif, Alastair Duncan as Mimir, Jeff Gulka as Sindri, Danny Woodburn as Brok, Island Austin as Thrud, Ben Chapple as Magni, Louis Cunningham as Modi, and Evelyn Miller as Gna.

A premiere date for season 2 of God of War has not yet been released.



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