Amazon’s God of War series is reportedly recasting its lead after Ryan Hurst suffered a significant injury while filming. TMZ reported that Hurst, who had been playing Kratos in the video game adaptation, tore his bicep during a stunt on set and will need surgery.
Why Ryan Hurst is being replaced as Kratos
Amazon Studios is reportedly recasting the role so production can move ahead instead of waiting for Hurst to recover. It is the sort of practical decision that makes sense on a production calendar and still feels fairly brutal for the person holding the sword.
TMZ reported that Hurst may not be able to return to filming until next year. That timeline appears to be the central issue for the studio, which is trying to keep the adaptation moving rather than pause indefinitely.
Hurst is widely known for his work on Sons of Anarchy. His reported exit from the role comes before the series has made it to air, which means the show’s version of Kratos is now back on the casting board.
What is known about the production
Production on the series has been taking place in Vancouver. The show is based on the hugely popular God of War video game franchise, centered on Kratos, the famously intense warrior whose job description is not exactly “low-risk workplace environment.”
