According to Deadline, Ryan Hurst will no longer portray Kratos in Prime Video’s live-action adaptation of God of War. The decision comes after Hurst suffered a serious bicep injury while performing a stunt on the set in Vancouver.
Hurst reportedly tore his bicep in late June and has since undergone surgery. Production was immediately halted following the accident and remains on hiatus.
Ryan Hurst on Talking Dead – YouTube, The Walking Dead
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Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios ultimately decided to recast Kratos after considering Hurst’s recovery timetable and the physical demands of playing the warrior. Another consideration is the age of Hurst’s co-star, Callum Vinson, who plays Kratos’ young son, Atreus. The child actor would likely appear noticeably older in footage filmed after Hurst’s eventual return than he does in material that has already been shot.
A replacement has not yet been announced.
Ryan Hurst’s Injury Forces Major Reshoots
The decision represents a significant setback for the ambitious series. Four episodes of the planned ten-episode first season had reportedly been completed before Hurst was injured. His scenes will now need to be reshot once another actor is cast.
Production is currently expected to resume sometime in mid-October, giving the studios only a few months to recast Kratos and prepare the new actor for the physically demanding role.
Hurst had reportedly gained approximately 40 pounds of muscle to portray the Spartan warrior. A serious bicep tear requiring surgery can take several months to heal, while returning to full strength may take as long as a year. Given the physical demands of playing Kratos, Hurst may not have been able to safely return to production until sometime in 2027.
Kratos in God of War – Santa Monica Studios
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The 50-year-old actor appeared particularly well suited for the part. At 6-foot-6, Hurst had the physical presence required to play the famously imposing character. He also brought an established connection to the franchise after providing the voice and motion-capture performance for Thor in God of War Ragnarök.
Although the first promotional image drew mixed reactions, many fans of the Sony games remained optimistic about Hurst in the role. News that Kratos will be recast has been met with disappointment, with many commenters also wishing Hurst a quick recovery.
God of War Faces Another Production Setback
Prime Video first ordered God of War in 2022, with The Wheel of Time showrunner Rafe Judkins initially attached to oversee the adaptation. Judkins and writers Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby departed in 2024 after the studios decided to take the series in a different creative direction.
Ryan Hurst as Kratos and Callum Vinson as Atreus in Amazon’s God of War series – Amazon
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Ronald D. Moore, whose credits include Battlestar Galactica and Outlander, subsequently joined the project as its new showrunner. Amazon has reportedly already ordered two seasons.
Amazon Faces a Costly Decision
Recasting a leading role after four episodes have been filmed will undoubtedly be expensive. It also adds another complication to an adaptation that has already spent years in development.
However, the unfortunate circumstances leave Amazon with few practical alternatives. Delaying production until Hurst had fully recovered could have pushed filming well into 2027 while also creating complications involving the young actor playing Atreus. Now, the series must find another actor capable of carrying both the emotional and physical weight of Kratos.
Who do you think will be cast as Kratos? Sound off and let us know!
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