The role of Kratos in Amazon's upcoming God of War television series is being recast after actor Ryan Hurst sustained a significant injury during stunt work. Hurst, known for his roles in Sons of Anarchy and Remember the Titans, reportedly tore his bicep, an injury that required hospitalization and a lengthy recovery period.
According to reports, the injury is expected to sideline Hurst for up to six months. This recovery timeline would have pushed production into 2027, a delay Amazon is reportedly unwilling to endure. To maintain the production schedule, the series will recast the physically demanding role of the titular God of War. Hurst had reportedly gained 40 pounds of muscle for the part and had already filmed scenes for more than four episodes, all of which will now need to be reshot with a new actor.
Hurst's casting as Kratos had previously drawn criticism and mockery online, particularly after an early set photo featuring him in costume was released in February. This image was widely shared and ridiculed, with many fans comparing his appearance unfavorably to Christopher Judge's acclaimed performance in the recent God of War video games.
Amazon has been aiming to replicate the success of HBO's The Last of Us with its own video game adaptations. The God of War series, developed by Ronald D. Moore of Battlestar Galactica fame, was first teased in 2022. The project underwent a significant shift in 2024, with new showrunners and revised scripts. Despite these changes and the recent setback, the production is moving forward by replacing Hurst to minimize further delays.