While Netflix is developing a new adaptation of Assassin’s Creed, Amazon is ramping up work on a show based on God of War, a mythology-inspired game franchise from Sony. We already know who’ll play the main character of the series and his kid, as well as some of the Asgardian gods and beings.
According to Deadline, Frederick E.O. Toye has joined the crew and will direct the first two episodes of the series. In recent years, he’s worked on series including Fallout and Shōgun, winning a Drama Series Emmy for directing Crimson Sky, the last episode of James Clavell’s novel-based series. His portfolio also includes credits for Lost, The Walking Dead, Westworld, Watchmen and Snowpiercer.
As announced in 2024, Ronald D. Moore will serve as showrunner, writer and executive producer. He’s known for his writing on series including Outlander, For All Mankind and Battlestar Galactica.
The television adaptation of God of War will be one of Amazon’s most significant upcoming projects. The studio clearly has high hopes for it, as the show has a two-season order.
When will the God of War TV series be released?
An adaptation of God of War was ordered by Amazon in 2022 but pre-production only recently began in Vancouver.
Filming for God of War is expected to begin this year. Considering the time needed for on-set work, post-production and marketing, we’d estimate that the series will hit Prime Video in 2027.
What’s the plot of the God of War TV series?
The series will adapt a storyline from the Sony games. Based on ancient mythology, God of War follows Kratos, a Spartan warrior, who’s later joined by his son, Atreus. The franchise has two parts: the first draws on ancient Greek tales, while the second is inspired by Norse mythology.
The series will be set in the Viking age. Many years after his bloody, vengeance-fuelled campaign in the world of the Olympian gods, Kratos, known as The Ghost of Sparta, settles in ancient Norway.
As the official logline for the show states:
God of War follows father and son Kratos and Atreus as they embark on a journey to spread the ashes of their wife and mother, Faye. Through their adventures, Kratos tries to teach his son to be a better god, while Atreus tries to teach his father how to be a better human.
During their journey through the nine realms, Kratos and Atreus encounter deities and creatures from Norse mythology. They befriend Mímir, clash with Odin and Thor, and attempt to prevent Ragnarök, the end of the world.
Who’s starring in the God of War TV series?
Amazon has already selected an actor for the lead role – Kratos will be portrayed by Ryan Hurst, an American actor best known for his role as Harry “Opie” Winston in Sons of Anarchy. He also starred in The Walking Dead and The Abandons – and voiced Thor in the 2022 game God of War Ragnarök, set in ancient Norway.
Amazon also announced that Max Parker will play Heimdall, the son of Odin and the guardian of the Bifrost, the bridge leading to Asgard. The actor recently shone in the Netflix series Boots, in which he played the conflicted Sergeant Sullivan, who trained new soldiers.
In God of War Ragnarök, Heimdall is the main antagonist, with Loki as his archnemesis. The guardian of the Bifrost is endlessly devoted to Odin and the protection of Asgard. Arrogant, vengeful and cruel, Heimdall is a dangerous opponent.
We also know that Sif, Thor’s wife and goddess of Wheat, Earth, Harvest and Family, will be played by Teresa Palmer. The Australian actress is known for her roles in Warm Bodies, Hacksaw Ridge and A Discovery of Witches.
In the games, Sif is a caring mother and loving wife. Initially, she was a faithful supporter of Odin; however, over time, she grew to distrust the All-Father.
The series has also officially cast its Odin. The All-Father will be portrayed by Mandy Patinkin, known for his roles in Homeland and The Princess Bride. The official character description reads as follows:
Odin, the All-Father, is not physically imposing or particularly god-like: but looks can be deceiving. [He’s] a patriarch who leads with an iron fist, and an unrivaled seeker of knowledge. When it comes to seeking out prophecy, Odin is paranoid, manipulative, and dangerous — he will do anything to try and prevent Ragnarök, the Norse end of days. He serves as a formidable antagonist to Kratos.
The red-haired god Thor, Odin’s son, will be played by Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, who recently starred in the second season of Severance as terrifying Mr Drummond. In the game universe, sadistic and consumed by bloodlust, the God of Thunder is feared throughout the Nine Realms. Thor himself feels particularly hateful and contemptuous towards the arrogant Heimdall.
Sony
One of the most beloved characters in the God of War games is Mimir, a witty Celtic fae and Odin’s advisor. In the TV series he will be played by Alastair Duncan (Death Stranding 2: On the Beach and Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor), who voiced the character in the games.
Mimir is a rather unusual character – in games, he mainly appears as a talking head. At one point, the All-Father imprisoned his advisor at the highest peak of Migdard, from where he was found by Kratos. The warrior cut off Mimir’s head and took it to the goddess Freya, who resurrected him. Mimir joined Kratos’ quest in a way – the Ghost of Sparta travels through the Nine Realms with Mimir’s living head hanging from his belt.
The series will also feature Danny Woodburn (Seinfeld, The Witcher) and Jeff Gulka (Stargate SG-1, The X-Files), who will portray the dwarf blacksmith brothers, Brok and Sindri. The duo is known for forging Thor’s hammer and helps Kratos and Atreus during the game.
Sony
Callum Vinson will play Atreus, Kratos’ son. The young actor has experience working on TV series, having already appeared in Chucky, Long Bright River and Poker Face.
According to the official character description, Atreus is:
[…] the ten-year old son of Kratos, who grew up in a remote forest cabin, isolated from the rest of the world and raised almost entirely by his mother Faye. He is an accomplished archer, has an affinity for animals and is intensely curious about what lies beyond the confines of his forest home.
After his mother’s death, Atreus is left with a cold, distant father who he barely knows and who knows little about him in return. Nonetheless, Atreus yearns for his father’s approval and is desperate to prove he is strong enough to survive in a harsh and dangerous world.
Casting for God of War is still ongoing, so we’ll likely find out who will play the other roles in the series in the coming weeks.
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