Amazon God of War series seeks new Kratos after lead actor’s injury

Amazon’s upcoming live-action God of War television series is currently seeking a replacement for the lead role of Kratos following a significant on-set injury to actor Ryan Hurst. The production has been paused indefinitely, with plans to resume in mid-October, but Hurst will not have fully recovered from surgery by that time to continue filming.

Hurst, who was originally cast for the role in January, suffered a torn bicep while performing a stunt. According to Deadline, four episodes of the series had been fully completed prior to the injury. These episodes must now be reshot with a new actor, adding further delays to a project that was initially announced in 2022.

Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Television, the studios behind the live-action adaptation of the 2018 video game, have not yet announced who will replace Hurst. Recasting a leading actor mid-production is a rare occurrence in the industry, and the identity of the new Kratos remains unknown.

The physical demands of the role were significant, with Deadline reporting that Hurst had gained 40 pounds of muscle to portray the character. The actor, known for his role in Sons of Anarchy, also coincidentally provided the voice for Thor in the video game sequel God of War Ragnarök.

The delay impacts the timeline for the series, which has been in development since its initial announcement. With the need to reshoot completed episodes and find a new lead, the release date for the show is now uncertain.