Dave Bautista has publicly shared his physical transformation ahead of stepping into the iconic role of Kratos for the highly anticipated "God of War" television series. The actor, known for his work in "Guardians of the Galaxy," recently posted a video on his Instagram story featuring the text "Gained 20 lbs for GOW" alongside a sticker indicating his current weight of 250 pounds. In the post, Bautista was seen wearing a "God of War" T-shirt, marking a significant update from two months ago when he first mentioned resuming weight training while noting he still had time to reach his target physique.
Bautista officially signed on to play Kratos in August, replacing Ryan Hurst who was originally cast for the part. Hurst suffered an on-set bicep tear requiring surgery, a complication that would have delayed production until 2027. Consequently, Prime Video opted to replace him with Bautista. Although filming commenced in Vancouver in February, the production is now required to reshoot all scenes previously filmed with Hurst to accommodate the new lead actor.
The series adapts the narrative of the two most recent "God of War" video games, centering on Kratos raising his ten-year-old son, Atreus, portrayed by Callum Vinson. The storyline follows the father and son as they journey to scatter the ashes of their wife and mother, Faye, while navigating conflicts with gods from the Norse pantheon. According to the official logline, the adventure sees Kratos attempting to teach his son how to be a better god, while Atreus strives to teach his father how to be a better human.
Prime Video has committed to the project with a two-season order, with both seasons scheduled to be shot back-to-back. Bautista brings extensive film experience to the role, having starred in titles such as "My Spy," "Knock at the Cabin," and "The Wrecking Crew." Following his work on "God of War," he is set to appear in "Road House 2" and a reboot of "Highlander."
Sources: Variety.