Dave Bautista Shows Off 20 Pound Bulk for God of War TV Role

Dave Bautista has given fans a first peek at his huge physical transformation for Prime Video's upcoming God of War series. Per MovieWeb, the actor shared an update on his Instagram stories, showing off his bulked-up frame in a God of War shirt and noting he's gained 20 pounds for the role, officially hitting 250 pounds.

Bautista stepped into the part of Kratos this past August. He replaced original actor Ryan Hurst, who had to leave the production after getting seriously hurt while rehearsing a stunt.

The actor's casting fulfills a long-running fan campaign. Since the adaptation was first announced in 2022, many on social media had pushed for the former WWE star to play the Ghost of Sparta, pointing to his size and his proven dramatic range.

Prime Video has already ordered two seasons of the show, which follows Kratos and his young son Atreus on a perilous journey through Norse realms. Filming started in Vancouver in February, but the recasting means some scenes will need to be reshot with Bautista.

Due to this production shift, MovieWeb reports the series likely won't stream until late 2027 or early 2028.