Prime Video recasts Kratos role in "God of War" after lead actor's injury
The Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Television series "God of War" will replace Ryan Hurst as Kratos following a bicep injury that halted production, with filming set to resume in October.
Prime Video's adaptation of the PlayStation franchise "God of War" will recast the lead role of Kratos after actor Ryan Hurst suffered a bicep tear while performing a stunt in late June. Hurst, who had added significant muscle mass for the part, underwent surgery and is now recovering, but his projected rehabilitation period exceeds the series' shooting schedule.
Production was paused immediately after the incident and remains on hiatus. Sources say the show, produced by Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios in association with PlayStation Productions, plans to begin new preparations in mid-August for a mid-October start. Four episodes that had been completed before the injury will be reshot with a new actor, as the series also features a child co-lead, Callum Vinson, playing Atreus.
Showrunner Ronald D. Moore, who also serves as writer and executive producer, confirmed the decision was driven by the need to keep the production on track. The series, filmed in Vancouver since February, is slated for two back-to-back seasons and includes a cast that features Mandy Patinkin as Odin, Ed Skrein as Baldur, and Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Thor.
"Our priority is Ryan's full recovery, but the timeline required for his return does not align with our production schedule," a studio spokesperson said.
The recasting follows rare precedents in television, such as the replacement of Winston Duke on Apple TV's "Swagger" after an injury and the temporary shutdown of Netflix's "Cowboy Bebop" when lead John Cho was hurt. The new Kratos actor has not yet been announced.