Live-action video game adaptations seem to be populating on streaming services these days, and I couldn’t be happier about it. After years of teasing that my favorite game might be adapted into a live-action series, it’s finally happening. In 2022, Sony confirmed the development of a God of War TV show and, in January, cast its lead.
With a two-season order already in place, inquiring minds want to know everything there is to know about Prime Video’s God of War series. Let’s take a look at what we’ve discovered so far.
First off, what is God of War?
The video game comes to life on television
Credit: Playstation
If you haven’t had the pleasure of playing any of PlayStation’s God of War games and are wondering why the god of war being discussed isn’t Ares, don’t sweat it. We have your back. God of War is a third-person action-adventure game with role-playing elements, like gear leveling, skill trees, and stat management. Fundamentally, though, they are linear, character-driven games inspired by Greek and Norse mythology.
The first game was released in 2005 and put players in control of Kratos, a badass Spartan warrior who serves the Olympians—and yes, he does have the same mean front kick that Gerard Butler’s King Leonidas does in 300. After Ares tricks Kratos into killing his own family, the Spartan swears revenge and gets it. After defeating Ares, he becomes the new God of War… until the second installment, which was released in 2007. In God of War 3, Kratos topples the Greek pantheon.
The series continued in 2018 on PlayStation 4 with God of War, informally referred to as God of War 4. Set at least 150 years after GoW 3, the new game follows Kratos, who is living in Scandinavia, as he embarks on a journey with his young son to spread the ashes of his late wife Faye, who is also a mother to their young son.
In 2022, a sequel called God of War: Ragnarök was released for PS4 and PS5. That installment saw Kratos and his now-teenage son navigate the Norse realms while trying to prevent the prophesied apocalypse. The two face gods like Freya and Thor while also struggling with fate, identity, and the conflict between holding on and letting go.
What will the God of War series be about?
A story about a father and son
Credit: Playstation
Amazon confirmed the live-action series will adapt 2018’s God of War and will closely follow the path of the last two games as Kratos deals with something new—a 10-year-old son named Atreus. The father-son dynamic began an entirely new chapter in the legendary franchise and “will be the heartbeat of the new show.”
As Kratos and Atreus set out to spread the ashes of their loved one, their journey will hold plentiful adventures full of moments that allow Kratos to teach Atreus how to be a better god and Atreus to show Kratos how to be a better human. You can also expect plenty of intense combat and large-scale action, along with emotional story elements.
The cast
Ryan Hurst enters the spotlight
I couldn’t be more excited about this cast, especially since learning that Sons of Anarchy and The Walking Dead star Ryan Hurst will portray Kratos. Fun fact—Hurst also voiced Thor in the game God of War: Ragnarök, so really, he’s the perfect choice. Long Bright River’s Callum Vinson will play his son Atreus, and the excitement only continues from there.
Hollywood legend Mandy Patinkin, who played The Princess Bride’s Inigo Montoya and famously said, “You killed my father! Prepare to die!” Patinkin has been cast as Odin, the All-Father and most powerful Aesir god. Additionally, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson (Severance) will star as Thor, the God of Thunder; Teresa Palmer (A Discovery of Witches) as Sif, a mortal woman who became a goddess when she married Thor; Ben Chapple (Playing for Keeps) as Magni, Thor’s oldest son; Louis Cunningham (Marie Antoinette) as Modi, Thor’s middle child; and Island Austin (I Can Only Imagine 2) as Thrúd, Thor’s youngest daughter.
Marvel fans will be stoked to see Ed Skrein (Deadpool) as Baldur, Odin’s youngest son, while Max Park (Boots) will portray Heimdall, Watchman of Asgard and one of Odin’s sons, and Evelyn Miller (Gangs of London) will play Gna, Odin’s Valkyrie commander. Alastair Duncan will star as Mimir, a wise ex-advisor to Odin, who previously voiced the role in the game. Also starring are Danny Woodburn (The Witcher) and Jeff Gulka (The X-Files), who will play the two most talented blacksmith brothers, Brok and Sindri, respectively.
How a Star Trek veteran is involved
God of War is in good hands
Credit: Keeley Brooks/How-To Geek | Dennys Ilic.
At this point you might be wondering who’s actually creating the series, and we have an answer. Certified Star Trek legend Ronald D. Moore, who’s known for his work on The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine, as well as Battlestar Galactica, Outlander, and For All Mankind, is the series showrunner. Moore, who is also a writer and executive producer, is perfect for this type of show because of that experience.
We also know that Emmy Award-winner Frederick E.O. Toye (Shōgun, The Boys) is directing the first two episodes, a solid choice given his work at the helm of multiple Fallout episodes. The live-action series is co-produced by Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios in association with PlayStation Productions and Tall Ship Productions.
When does the God of War series come out?
The series will live on Prime Video
Credit: Amazon Studios
While the God of War series does not currently have a premiere date—or a trailer, we do know that production is well underway in Vancouver, Canada. Development on big projects takes time, and we also have all those post-production visuals to consider. Keeping that in mind, it’s likely that it’ll be early or mid-2027 release.
Because of its exclusivity to Prime Video, it’s unclear what Amazon’s release strategy will be. The streamer isn’t necessarily known for binge-model releases like Netflix, but that doesn’t mean they don’t happen. Case in point—Scarpetta, which saw all eight episodes drop at once. So, for those of us who prefer a good binge to the week-long wait for a new episode, there is hope.
Will God of War be any good?
Yes. How do we know? Prime Video has proven it can handle video game crossovers with delicacy, and if you don’t believe me, check out the current adaptations Fallout and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. For now, there’s no reason to believe this action-packed, emotionally charged, character-driven franchise will be anything but captivating, compelling, and completely immersive. Stay tuned.
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