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.
The role is being recast after Ryan Hurst, who had been originally set as Kratos, tore a bicep while performing a stunt on set in late June, four months into the shoot, with the injury requiring surgery followed by a long recovery.
God of War paused production Immediately following the incident. A couple of weeks later, a decision was made to recast the role, with prep expected to begin in mid-August for a mid-October production start in Vancouver where the show has been based.
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Bautista’s extensive background as a decorated professional wrestler would allow him to step into a physically demanding role such as Kratos with limited preparation given the tight schedule. What’s more, he is coming off shooting a similarly physical fantasy project, the new Highlander movie, which required him to bulk up.
The ancient mythology-themed God of War, from writer, executive producer and showrunner Ronald D. Moore, began filming in February in Vancouver on a two-season order with the seasons slated to film back-to-back, which remains the plan.
Bautista’s casting signals a possible different approach to the character of Kratos, which has been the subject of intense online discourse following the first-look image released in February.
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God of War follows father and son Kratos (Bautista) and Atreus (Callum Vinson) 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 also includes 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 and Danny Woodburn as Brok.
God of War is co-produced by Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios in association with PlayStation Productions and Moore’s Tall Ship Productions. In addition to Moore, 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 co-executive produce.
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This would mark only the second series-regular role for Bautista following Season 2 of the Apple TV drama See. It reteams him with Amazon MGM Studios after starring alongside Jason Momoa in the film The Wrecking Crew this year and opposite Jake Gyllenhaal in the upcoming Road House 2.
Bautista has several other movies coming up, Alpha Gang, which premieres at the Toronto Film Festival; the animated Ally; and Highlander. He is repped by WME and Jackoway Austen Tyerman.