Dave Bautista Packs on Serious Muscle as He Prepares To Become Kratos in Prime Video’s ‘God of War’
Prime Video’s ‘God of War’ series has had an eventful road to the screen. Ronald D. Moore’s adaptation of the PlayStation franchise was already in production when original Kratos actor Ryan Hurst suffered a serious on-set injury, reportedly tearing a bicep during a stunt about 4 months into filming.
That led to a major recast. Dave Bautista officially stepped into the role in August, with reports saying at least 4 episodes featuring Hurst would need to be reshot. Now Bautista is showing just how seriously he’s taking the transformation. The actor has revealed that he’s gained 20 pounds of muscle ahead of playing Kratos, bringing him up to 250 pounds.
He shared his progress in a short video showing off his new physique, with the number 250 displayed on screen. The update quickly spread online, with Variety and DiscussingFilm among those sharing the news.
It’s a big change from where Bautista was just a couple of years ago. In 2024, he said he had slimmed down to about 240 pounds, after weighing around 315 pounds for ‘Knock at the Cabin’.
Dave Bautista Showing Off His 20-Pound Weight Gain as God of War Kratos. 💪 https://t.co/8mKBOSimsH
— Every Movie Plug (@everymovieplug) November 2, 2026
Bautista has been documenting his preparation for a while. In early September, he posted a training video on Instagram, saying he was 3 weeks into weight training again and needed about 2 more months to get where he needed to be.
He compared getting back into heavy training to riding a bike. The latest update suggests his plan is right on track. The production hasn’t confirmed a target weight for the role. For comparison, Hurst had reportedly gained about 40 pounds of muscle when he first prepared to play the Spartan warrior.
Bautista’s comments have helped fans piece together the production timeline. Earlier reports suggested filming would restart in mid-October, but his training updates pointed to a November return instead. Either way, it looks like the cameras could start rolling again soon. Prime Video hasn’t announced a release date for the series.
The series follows the story of the last 2 ‘God of War’ games. Kratos and his son Atreus set out to scatter the ashes of Kratos’ late wife, Faye, as they make their way through the dangerous world of the Norse gods.
Callum Vinson plays Atreus, while Mandy Patinkin plays Odin and Ólafur Darri Ólafsson plays Thor. Max Parker plays Heimdall, Teresa Palmer plays Sif, and Ed Skrein plays Baldur. The supporting cast includes Alastair Duncan as Mimir, Jeff Gulka as Sindri, Danny Woodburn as Brok, and Sonya Walger as Freya. Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Television have given the series a 2-season order.
Kratos is one of gaming’s most iconic characters, which puts a lot of pressure on whoever plays him. Christopher Judge, who voices the character in the games, has said he read for the live-action role but had no desire to lead a TV show again. Bautista’s physical commitment suggests he’s taking the challenge seriously. With his size and screen presence, many fans already see him as a natural fit for the God of War.
Do you think Dave Bautista is the right choice to play Kratos in Prime Video's God of War series?
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