Prime Video's live-action God of War series has officially recast its lead, with Dave Bautista set to replace Ryan Hurst as Kratos. The change follows a serious setback: Hurst, announced for the role in January, tore his bicep performing a stunt in late June, requiring surgery and a lengthy recovery. Rather than delay production into 2027, Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Television opted to recast the part, a decision that reshapes an already well-underway shoot.

Filming had been going on for months in Vancouver, with several episodes reportedly already completed before Hurst's injury; those scenes will now need to be reshot with Bautista, and production is aiming to restart in mid-October. Season one will adapt the 2018 God of War game, following Kratos and his son Atreus as they scatter the ashes of Kratos' late wife, Faye, while Prime Video is also said to be seeking older actors to play Atreus and Thrud for a second season based on Ragnarök. No premiere date has been set, and a 2028 launch now looks more likely than 2027, even as the wider franchise continues with the PS5 game Laufey due in February 2027 and further Kratos titles in development.