Prime Video's God of War series is looking for a new lead to play Kratos after Ryan Hurst was forced to exit the upcoming fantasy series based on the hit God of War video games.
Hurst tore his bicep while filming a stunt sequence for God of War in late June, according to a report from Variety.
Unfortunately, the injury is so severe that Hurst had to have surgery and is looking at a long recovery process. In order for Hurst to continue as Kratos, Prime Video would have to stop filming indefinitely, which is why God of War is trying to recast Kratos.
It's a devastating turn of events for Hurst, who is best known for starring as Beta in The Walking Dead. Hurst appeared in episodes across two seasons, season 9 and season 10. His character played a major role in the Whisperer War.
Hopefully, Hurst makes a full recovery and can potentially appear in the series in a different role in the future. Kratos is God of War, though. The demigod and Spartan warrior is the key player in the story, although there are other crucial characters, too. If Kratos isn't right, though, this doesn't work.
It's very interesting because production on God of War started in February 2026, so it seemed like Hurst could have definitely appeared as Kratos in at least some of the series unless they go back and reshoot all of Kratos' scenes, which is what it sounds like Variety is getting at in the report.
When I heard the news, I wondered if Hurst could step back into the role for God of War season 2, which has already been ordered. It sounds like this new actor will be starring as Kratos for the rest of season 1, into season 2, and beyond, though it sounds like a very tricky situation.
Production on God of War is reportedly going to start again this fall, according to the report.
The injury comes right before Hurst's big role in the biggest movie of the summer, too. Hurst has a big role in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey alongside Tom Holland, Matt Damon, Zendaya, and fellow Walking Dead star Jon Bernthal.
In the film, Hurst plays Mentor, a mentor figure for Odysseus' son, Telemachus, played by Holland. Athena (Zendaya), the goddess of wisdom, communicates to Telemachus through Mentor, so that's super fun. Holland and Zendaya, who are also married, are two of the biggest movie stars in the world.
Hurst is joined by two more Walking Dead stars in The Odyssey, too. Samantha Morton, who played Alpha in The Walking Dead, stars as Circe, while Corey Hawkins plays Polybus.
We'll share more news about Hurst's recovery and other roles in the future as we find out.
Add us as a preferred source on Google