Dave Bautista will play Kratos in ‘God Of War’ TV series

The God Of War TV show has recast its lead role of Kratos, with Dave Bautista replacing the injured Ryan Hurst.

The Amazon TV show, based on the hit video game series, follows warrior Kratos as he battles the Norse gods while also raising his son Atreus. Ryan Hurst, known for the TV show Sons Of Anarchy, had been cast in the lead role in January with a first look at him in character opposite Callum Vinson as Atreus released the following month.

However, in July Hurst suffered a torn bicep during filming. He’s since undergone surgery but will take between four and six months to recover, so Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Television bosses have decided to recast the role.

Dave Bautista, who had been tipped to replace him, will now step into the role. Filming is expected to resume in a couple of weeks according to Variety, with all of Hurst’s scenes due to be reshot. Bautista rose to fame as a WWE wrestler before successfully transitioning to the world of acting. He is best known for the role of Drax in the Guardians Of The Galaxy and Avengers films, but has also made appearances in Blade Runner 2049, Dune, James Bond film Spectre, and Knives Out sequel Glass Onion.

The outlet points out that Bautista is one of the few actors ready-made to take over the role at short notice, given his naturally large physique and acting capability that has seen him regularly collaborate with director Denis Villeneuve among others.

A release date for God Of War is yet to be announced, but Amazon have ordered the first two seasons to be shot back-to-back, to be released on their Prime Video service. In gaming news, last month the development team behind God Of War have confirmed that new spin-off game Laufey will launch next year, and will be followed by a sequel starring Kratos.