Ryan Hurst has given God of War fans another look at his planned portrayal of Kratos, and the new image has received a much warmer response than Prime Video’s first official photo. Hurst shared the image on Instagram Stories, showing off the physical transformation he underwent for the live-action adaptation.
The timing is particularly notable because Hurst is no longer playing Kratos in the Amazon series. Prime Video and Sony Pictures Television decided to recast the role after Hurst suffered a serious bicep injury while performing a stunt, requiring surgery and forcing production to pause.
Ryan Hurst’s Kratos gets a second look
The new image offers a more imposing view of Hurst as the God of War protagonist and highlights the actor’s physical preparation for the role. Fans have responded positively to the picture, with many arguing that it presents a more convincing version of Kratos than the earlier promotional image.
Hurst previously spent months preparing physically for the character, reportedly adding around 40 pounds of muscle before filming. His new image has therefore renewed discussion about what his version of Kratos might have looked like had he remained with the production.
Hurst’s departure came after his bicep injury made his return timeline incompatible with the show’s production schedule. The role is now reportedly being pursued by Dave Bautista, who is in talks to replace him as Kratos.
The new photo does not indicate that Hurst is returning to the series, but it has given fans another glimpse of the performance they will ultimately miss. Prime Video’s God of War remains in development as the production works through its casting changes and reshoots.
