Dave Bautista has now been officially confirmed as Kratos in Amazon Prime Video's live-action "God of War" series, cementing a switch that was first reported as being in talks earlier this month. He replaces Ryan Hurst, who was originally announced for the role in January 2026 but suffered a torn bicep on set in June that required surgery and threatened to delay the show's restart into 2027; Amazon and co-producer Sony subsequently confirmed they were recasting the part. With Bautista's casting now locked in, production is expected to resume within weeks, though all scenes previously filmed with Hurst will need to be reshot.

Filming began in Vancouver in February as part of a two-season order, with both seasons due to shoot back-to-back. Variety notes Bautista, known for "Dune" and "Guardians of the Galaxy," was seen as a natural fit given his physique and ability to step in without lengthy preparation. The series adapts the two most recent "God of War" games, following Kratos and his son Atreus as they scatter the ashes of Kratos's wife Faye while navigating the Norse pantheon; Callum Vinson remains attached as Atreus, alongside cast including Mandy Patinkin as Odin and Ed Skrein as Baldur. Ronald D. Moore serves as writer, showrunner and executive producer.