Christopher Judge has explained his Kratos decision, turning down the chance to play the character in Prime Video’s live-action God of War series while wishing Dave Bautista well after the role was recast.
Judge, who has voiced Kratos since 2018’s God of War, discussed the decision at Fan Expo Canada, in comments reported by Collider. He said he did not want the physical demands of the part at 62, including 16-to-18-hour filming days and the diet and training needed to maintain Kratos’ build.
Christopher Judge Dave Bautista Kratos reaction
Christopher Judge has explained the physical demands behind his Kratos decision and reacted to Dave Bautista taking over the role.
Judge said he had prepared physically for the possibility of playing Kratos, but ultimately decided against taking the role. The live-action series is based on the Norse-era games, where Kratos is older, physically imposing and required to carry a demanding production across two seasons.
He also reacted to Bautista taking over the part from Ryan Hurst. Hurst left after tearing a bicep while performing a stunt during production, with the injury requiring surgery and a lengthy recovery. Dark Horizons reproduced Judge’s comments and his concern that Bautista’s health should not be sacrificed for the role.
“So when I heard the name of Bautista, I thought, ‘Didn’t he just lose like 100 pounds?’”
Christopher Judge
Bautista was already in talks for the role after Hurst’s exit and has since been officially cast. Scenes filmed with Hurst are expected to be reshot, while production resumes under showrunner Ronald D. Moore.
Dave Bautista’s God of War role
Bautista will play Kratos opposite Callum Vinson as Atreus. The series follows the father and son as they travel to spread the ashes of Faye, Kratos’ wife and Atreus’ mother. Prime Video has ordered two seasons, which are planned to film back-to-back.
The Christopher Judge Dave Bautista Kratos reaction also leaves Bautista with a part that demands the physical preparation he was already questioning publicly. For viewers, the change also separates the game’s established voice from the live-action interpretation — one Kratos will growl through a controller, the other will have to survive the schedule.
Tbreak previously covered Bautista’s casting as Kratos and Ryan Hurst’s original casting. Prime Video has not announced a release date for the series.
Why did Christopher Judge turn down the live-action Kratos role?
Christopher Judge said he did not want the physical demands of the role at 62, including 16-to-18-hour filming days, dieting and constant training.
Who plays Kratos in Prime Video’s God of War series?
Dave Bautista plays Kratos after replacing Ryan Hurst, who left the production following a bicep injury suffered while filming a stunt.
When will the God of War series premiere?
Prime Video has not announced a release date. The production is reshooting scenes with Bautista and has two seasons planned.
