Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Television have announced their upcoming Prime Video God of War show has cast God of War Ragnarok veteran Ryan Hurst to play Kratos.
Amazon MGM Studios ended its search for a star for the latest live-action video game adaptation today, kick-starting the casting process with one of the biggest (and angriest) names in the history of PlayStation. Many details about the God of War series’ plot remain under wraps, though it is said to fall in line with the 2018 game reboot, which follows Kratos and his son, Atreus, as they travel in hopes of spreading their loved one’s ashes.
“Through their adventures, Kratos tries to teach his son to be a better god,” an official description says, “while Atreus tries to teach his father how to be a better human.”
Amazon’s decision to go with Hurst to play Kratos makes sense for a few reasons. For starters, it’s not too hard to picture the star with ash-white skin, a menacing red tattoo, and maybe even the Blades of Charos or Leviathan Axe. The real draw, though, is that Hurst already has a firm place in the God of War universe, as he played the crucial role of Thor in 2022’s God of War Ragnarok.
Those unfamiliar with the star’s work may have also spotted him on TV as Opie in Sons of Anarchy or Beta in The Walking Dead. He’s got experience in the movie world, too, having shown up in the 2000’s for Remember the Titans, We Were Soldiers, and The Ladykillers. With names like Christopher Judge, Jason Momoa, Dave Bautista, and more previously thrown around by fans, Hurst may not be the face many expected to see play Kratos in the God of War show, but the side-by-side image provided by Amazon (above) suggests the company is confident in its choice.
The Greek-god-killer-turned-Norse-legend will make his true live-action debut when the God of War show eventually premieres. Pre-production is currently underway in Vancouver, with a two-season order setting Hurst and showrunner Ronald D. Moore up for a long – and probably bloody – story.
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Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
