Dave Bautista Shares Kratos Training Update for Prime Video’s God of War

Dave Bautista has shared another update on his physical preparation to play Kratos in Prime Video’s God of War adaptation. According to IGN’s November 2 report, the actor posted an Instagram story saying he had gained 20 pounds for the role, accompanied by a sticker indicating a weight of 250 pounds.

The post follows a September training video in which Bautista said he had been lifting weights for three weeks, with another two months of preparation ahead. Together, the updates offer a glimpse of his preparation for the PlayStation character’s move to television.

A change behind the role

IGN reports that Bautista took over from Ryan Hurst in August after Hurst suffered a torn bicep while filming a stunt. The expected recovery period led to Hurst leaving the production, according to the outlet.

Bautista’s training also follows a period in which he had deliberately reduced his size. IGN says the former WWE performer had lost muscle mass while pursuing a broader range of acting roles and seeking to feel more comfortable on camera.

The Norse story comes to television

The series will draw on God of War’s Norse mythology era. Bautista’s Kratos and his son Atreus, played by Callum Vinson, will travel to scatter the ashes of Faye, their wife and mother, at the highest peak of the nine realms. IGN reports that two seasons have been ordered.

For PlayStation fans, that premise places the father-and-son relationship at the center of the adaptation. Bautista’s latest post concerns his preparation for Kratos; it offers no further detail about how that journey will look on screen.