Ryan Hurst will reportedly no longer play Kratos in live-action God of war series. Sony Pictures and Amazon MGM Studios are said to be reshuffling his management after he suffered a serious injury while filming God of war TV program.
The first television adaptation of Sony Santa Monica's hit series was formally announced in May 2022, with Prime Video ordering the series that December. In January 2026, Ryan Hurst was revealed as the leader of the new God of war TV program. Principal photography began shortly thereafter, and Prime Video confirmed that production was in full swing by the end of February 2026.
Ryan Hurst reportedly tore a bicep while filming God of War
Kratos' role is being recast due to the actor's physical recovery being too long
According to a new report from Deadline, Hurst suffered a torn bicep while filming a stunt on the show's Vancouver set in June. He is said to have undergone immediate surgery but is not expected to recover for a long time. Such injuries can take four to six months to heal, but the physical demands of playing Kratos could reportedly prevent him from returning at full capacity for up to a year. In light of these circumstances, Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios have decided to recast the role, a move that insiders described as difficult.
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Image Credits: Amazon MGM Studios, Sony Pictures Television -
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Image via Santa Monica Studio
Four episodes had reportedly ended before the injury. Hurst's replacement will have to reshoot some already completed scenes against Callum Vinson, who plays Kratos' son Atreus in live-action God of war series. Prime Video plans to restart production in mid-fall, likely in October 2026.
God of War Show may also need to reshoot some scenes that don't feature Hurst's Kratos
The rework is particularly disturbing because the relationship between Kratos and Atreus is central to the upcoming adaptation. While Sata Monica Studios' game started way back in 2005, the series that Prime Video ordered is exclusively based on God of wars Nordic era, which started in 2018. Soon to be a trilogy, these games follow the story of Kratos and his son who travel to spread the ashes of Faye, Atreus' mother. Reusing Vinson's finished footage may prove difficult as the 12-year-old actor may visibly age before production resumes in late 2026. Given that condition, much of the footage already shot for the first season of the live-action adaptation may need to be reshot, including scenes that don't feature Kratos.
No replacement for Hurst has been announced, not least because even the news of his injury hasn't been officially confirmed yet. But if Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios plan to resume production in the fall of 2026, they will have to recast the role on short notice. The part could go to the casting director's original second choice or another leading candidate whose schedule is open this fall. Hurst had another connection God of war franchise in addition to his immediate casting as Kratos as he previously played Thor in the first two Nordic-era games.
Production on the show's first two seasons, which were ordered together, was initially expected to wrap up by spring 2027. Hurst's injury and the subsequent recasting now appear likely to push completion to around July 2027, although the first season could still premiere before then.
