Dave Bautista has been confirmed to take over the role of Kratos in the upcoming Amazon Prime Video live-action "God of War" series, and he recently shared a new training video on Instagram, showcasing his ongoing body transformation for the character.
Bautista revealed he is currently three weeks into his weight training regimen, with approximately two months remaining to get his physique "to where it needs to be." Unlike many actors who might have six months to a year for preparation, he has very little buffer, as production on the "God of War" series is slated to restart in October 2026.
The series originally cast Ryan Hurst as Kratos, with production officially beginning earlier this year. However, Hurst sustained an injury during stunt work and is not expected to recover until next year, leading Amazon to recast the role and quickly bring in Bautista to take over.
Notably, Bautista had significantly slimmed down in recent years, reducing the substantial muscle mass he maintained during his professional wrestling career. This led some viewers to question if his current physique was adequate to portray Kratos when the casting was announced. However, the latest video demonstrates his active efforts to regain muscle, aiming to restore a more imposing build before filming officially resumes.
Meanwhile, Christopher Judge, who voices Kratos in the current "God of War" video games, also auditioned for the live-action role. However, he ultimately withdrew, unwilling to endure the daily 12-to-18-hour workdays, strict diet, and continuous high-intensity training required at 62 years old.