God of War Live Action Cast Update: HBO Keeps Ignoring Christopher Judge as It Reportedly Casts Thor and Heimdall

The God of War live action casting conversation has taken a sharp turn, and at the center of it stands a familiar name that fans refuse to let go of. As Amazon MGM Studios quietly assembles the cast for its Prime Video adaptation of God of War, the absence of Christopher Judge continues to dominate fan discourse. New casting reports confirm fresh faces stepping into major Norse roles, including Thor and Heimdall, yet the actor who reshaped Kratos for an entire generation remains sidelined.

That being said, recent report suggest that Ólafur Darri Ólafsson has been tapped to play Thor, while Max Parker is set to portray Heimdall. The most debated decision, however, remains Ryan Hurst stepping into the role of Kratos. Hurst, who voiced Thor in God of War Ragnarök, now inherits the Ghost of Sparta in live action, a choice that feels both deliberate and divisive.

What fuels the frustration is not doubt in Hurst’s talent but the continued overlooking of Judge, the voice and physical presence behind Kratos in 2018’s God of War and Ragnarök. Let’s have a few fans comments:

The greatest body transformation is coming… Kratos is jacked.

— Wbinvests (@Wbinvests) January 16, 2026

Tendrías que haber sido tú, Christopher 😭

— Gabriela (@GabrielaJaeger) January 15, 2026

Christopher judge is our Kratos.

— Carlos Lara (@usuario13475) January 16, 2026

Why didn't they just use Christopher Judge?

— E❣ Hearts (@VH1996VH) January 16, 2026

Fuck live action! Judge will always be my Kratos

— OLIGB (@OliEGB91) January 16, 2026

This has left fans questioning priorities, intent, and respect for legacy.

Christopher Judge Reacts to God of War Live Action

Few performers are as closely tied to Kratos as Christopher Judge, whose portrayal redefined the character as restrained, wounded, and deeply human. When Prime Video announced Ryan Hurst as Kratos, Judge responded not with bitterness, but with grace. His message read:

Congrats Ryan!!!! You’re gonna be great… BOI !!! ❤️ https://t.co/H9pYahlpoU

— Christopher Judge (@iamchrisjudge) January 14, 2026

Judge’s encouragement landed as both approval and quiet closure. For Hurst, that endorsement likely mattered more than any press release. His casting comes with its own layered irony. He previously voiced Thor in God of War Ragnarök, making his transition from antagonist to protagonist a bold pivot.

At 6’6″, Hurst brings imposing stature to the role, backed by years of physically demanding performances in Sons of Anarchy and The Walking Dead. Living up to Judge’s Kratos is no small task, just as Judge once faced comparisons to original voice actor T.C. Carson. While Judge’s absence still stings, his response showed restraint, dignity, and respect for the craft.

God of War TV Show Release Date, Cast & Story Details

The God of War TV series is currently in development at Prime Video, following a major creative overhaul after its initial 2022 announcement. Filming has not yet begun, making a 2026 release highly unlikely. Industry timelines and production patterns point toward a more realistic debut window in late 2027 (per Games Radar).

Ryan Hurst is currently the only officially confirmed lead. Behind the scenes, the creative team is stacked. Ronald D. Moore serves as showrunner, with Frederick E.O. Toye directing the opening episodes. Santa Monica Studio’s Cory Barlog is attached as executive producer, offering deep narrative continuity from the games.

The series is expected to adapt the Norse saga introduced in God of War (2018), focusing on Kratos and Atreus as they journey to scatter Faye’s ashes. Moore has emphasized that the emotional core of the story lies in the father son relationship. Speaking to IGN, he said:

I responded to the story of Kratos and his son and then they set out on this epic journey in this world that was finely detailed and really interesting, and there’s a lot of combat and interesting monsters along the way. But I kept coming back to this story of father and son, and it was just emotional and it was different, and I hadn’t seen anything like that before.

Moore has also acknowledged relying heavily on Barlog’s encyclopedic knowledge of the franchise. As he explained to Collider:

Cory can tell you the whole thing in every possible way – all the mythology, how it connects one to the other, what the puzzles were, why they did this, and what that artifact did. It’s really impressive.

Do you think the show made the right call, or was Christopher Judge the Kratos that should have crossed into live action? Drop your thoughts below, argue your case, and tell us whether this casting choice strengthens or weakens the adaptation. And do not forget to follow FandomWire for more updates as the God of War series moves closer to production.

God of War TV show will stream exclusively on Prime Video when it premieres.