Ryan Hurst Recast as Kratos in Prime Video's 'God of War' Series After On-Set Injury

Ryan Hurst has been recast as Kratos in Prime Video’s upcoming live-action adaptation of God of War. The decision follows a serious on-set injury that halted production on the highly anticipated series.

Hurst suffered a torn bicep while performing a stunt in late June, according to reports. The injury required surgery, and the actor is now recovering. The physical demands of the role and Hurst's projected recovery timeline led Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios to make the difficult choice to recast the lead part.

What Happened to Ryan Hurst?

Hurst was injured on the Vancouver set in late June. A report from TMZ, cited by Deadline, stated the actor tore his bicep during a stunt. Sources indicate he has since undergone surgery. For serious bicep tears requiring surgery, recovery can take four to six months, with a full return to strength potentially taking up to a year. Given the intense physicality required to play the Spartan warrior, the production schedule could not accommodate such a lengthy hiatus.

When Will Production Resume?

God of War paused production immediately after the incident and remains on hiatus. Preparations are expected to begin in mid-August for a production restart targeted for mid-October. The series, which began filming in February, had completed four episodes at the time of the injury. Those episodes will now be reshot with the new actor in the role of Kratos.

The recasting presents a particular challenge because Hurst's co-star, Callum Vinson, plays his young son Atreus. With child actors growing quickly, it would be difficult to use much of the existing footage, necessitating the reshoots.

What is the 'God of War' Series About?

The Prime Video adaptation is based on the 2018 God of War video game reboot and its 2022 sequel, God of War Ragnarök. The series follows father and son Kratos and Atreus as they embark on a journey to spread the ashes of their wife and mother, Faye. The logline states, “Through their adventures, Kratos tries to teach his son to be a better god, while Atreus tries to teach his father how to be a better human.”

The show has already received a two-season order and is filming both seasons back-to-back. The cast also includes Mandy Patinkin as Odin, Ed Skrein as Baldur, Max Parker as Heimdall, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Thor, and Teresa Palmer as Sif. Ronald D. Moore serves as writer, executive producer, and showrunner.