Bautista Adds 20 Pounds for God of War Role

On November 1, 2026, Dave Bautista revealed a new milestone in his preparation to play Kratos in Prime Video’s God of War series: he has gained 20 pounds and now weighs 250 pounds. A video on his Instagram Story showed the update alongside a God of War T-shirt. He has also grown a beard for the role.

Bautista took over the part from Ryan Hurst after Hurst tore a bicep while performing a stunt during filming and required surgery. Bautista had previously said he had resumed weight training, sharing in September that he was in his third week of training and had two more months to reach his target.

The series follows Kratos and his son Atreus, played by Callum Vinson, as they travel to scatter the remains of Faye, Kratos’ wife and Atreus’ mother. Their travels bring them into conflict with gods from Norse mythology, as Kratos tries to guide his son and Atreus tries to help his father become more human. The story draws on the two most recent God of War games.

The production is based in Vancouver and is expected to resume with Bautista in the lead role, with scenes featuring Hurst to be reshot. Prime Video has ordered two seasons, which are set to film back-to-back.