'God Of War' To Recast Lead Kratos After Ryan Hurst Injury (Exclusive):
Quote Originally Posted by Deadline
EXCLUSIVE: This is a shocker: Prime Video‘s God Of War will have a new actor playing Kratos as the lead role in the high profile fantasy drama series is being recast, Deadline has learned.

The decision, made after a careful consideration by the studios on the show, Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios, comes after Ryan Hurst, who had been originally cast as Kratos, was seriously injured on the set of the PlayStation video game adaptation in late June.

This is a heartbreaking development for Hurst who underwent a physical transformation after getting the role, putting on 40 lbs of muscle, and worked hard for months on the Vancouver set filming the physically demanding role until getting hurt performing his duties.

Hurst tore a bicep while doing a stunt on the show, as first reported by TMZ. According to sources, he has since undergone surgery and is now recovering.

God of War paused production Immediately following the incident and remains on hiatus.

Hurst’s projected recovery time is unclear but for a serious bicep tears requiring surgery, it is typically 4-6 months, with a return to full strength taking up to a year. Given the physicality of the role, it will likely not have been safe for Hurst to resume filming until 2027.

According to sources, while Hurst’s full recovery is a priority, the period required for it was longer than the production shooting schedule could accommodate, leading to the difficult decision to recast the role.

Prep is expected to begin is mid-August for a mid-October production start.

The ancient mythology-themed God of War, from writer, executive producer and showrunner Ronald D. Moore, began filming in February in Vancouver on a two-season order, with the two seasons slated to film back-to-back, which I hear remains the plan. According to sources, four episodes had been fully completed at the time of the incident.