Weighing 113 kilograms—nine more than a few weeks ago—Dave Bautista is taking his new role as Kratos seriously. The 57-year-old actor and former WWE star has shared another social-media glimpse of his physical preparation for Amazon’s *God of War* series. Since his surprise casting was announced this summer, he has been training intensively to bring the PlayStation warrior’s imposing presence to the screen. The new numbers show how far his preparations have progressed.
Bautista now weighs around 113 kilograms
Anyone familiar with Kratos from the two most recent God of War games knows the character isn’t exactly known for a slender build. The former Greek god of war is a physically overwhelming fighter whose stature stands out even among the numerous gods and monsters of the Norse adventure. This is precisely the challenge Bautista is now taking on.
In a recent Instagram Story, he revealed that he has added 20 pounds—about 9.1 kilograms—bringing his current weight to 250 pounds, or roughly 113.4 kilograms.
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In widely shared photos, he wears a God of War shirt and displays his progress. The social media account DiscussingFilm and others picked up the images, which quickly spread through the gaming community.
It’s important to note, however, that the weight gain is based on Bautista’s own statements. It’s not possible to independently determine from the published images how much of that is actually pure muscle mass. Regardless, this progression demonstrates just how intensely the actor is preparing for this physically demanding role.
His transformation into Kratos began in September
The new photos aren’t a total surprise. Back in early September, Bautista said he had been lifting intensely for three weeks and expected to need two more months to reach his goal. We covered that in our article “Dave Bautista Shows Off His Kratos Physique and Still Has Two Months to Go.”
The new figures underscore his progress since then. His weight history is also notable: during his wrestling career, he often tipped the scales at far more than his recent film roles required, deliberately shedding pounds for various Hollywood projects.
For God of War, the trend is reversing. However, the goal is not just maximum size; the role also requires agility, stamina, and the ability to convincingly portray an experienced warrior. His height, build, and acting experience likely played a key role in his casting.
Bautista Replaces Ryan Hurst After Serious Injury
The Amazon series’ casting process has been anything but ordinary. Ryan Hurst was originally set to play Kratos, had already begun filming, and then injured his bicep during production. The injury required surgery and would have significantly delayed production.
Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Television therefore decided to recast the role of Kratos. On August 21, they officially announced that Dave Bautista would take on the role. We had already reported on this in detail here on PSINFO: Dave Bautista to Play Kratos in the God of War Series. The decision had an immediate impact on the ongoing production.
Scenes already filmed with Hurst must be reshot with the new lead actor, requiring extra work from actors, the director, the camera crew, and every production department. No one has announced a completion date for Bautista’s filming, but his latest training update confirms that physical preparation remains a key part of the project.
Why Kratos Needs More Than Just a Muscular Actor
While physicality is key, Bautista’s biggest challenge likely goes beyond looking imposing.
The Amazon series is based on the Norse mythology featured in the 2018 God of War and God of War Ragnarök. The story centers on a significantly older Kratos who wants to leave his violent past behind while simultaneously trying to become a better father to his son, Atreus.
That evolution made the two games especially compelling for many fans. Earlier entries focused on revenge, destruction, and brutal combat, whereas later entries emphasized responsibility, loss, and the complex father-son bond. Kratos does not wear his emotions on his sleeve.
Often, a single glance, a brief reply, or a prolonged moment of silence conveys his inner tension. The live-action adaptation must capture this reserved portrayal convincingly. Throughout his film career, Dave Bautista has already demonstrated that he can play more than just physically imposing action heroes.
In addition to his well-known role as Drax in *Guardians of the Galaxy*, he has appeared in *Blade Runner 2049*, *Dune*, and *Knock at the Cabin*, among others. He has been particularly convincing in more serious roles with a comparatively calm and controlled performance. However, only the first scenes from the series will reveal whether these skills will also work for Kratos.
Amazon has already greenlit two seasons.
The God of War series is one of the major video game adaptations currently in development for Prime Video.
Amazon has already ordered two seasons. The series will adapt the recent games, following Kratos and Atreus as they journey through Norse mythology to scatter the ashes of Faye—Kratos’ late wife and Atreus’ mother—at a special location.
Along the way, they encounter various deities, dangerous creatures, and figures central to Norse lore. Callum Vinson portrays Atreus, while Mandy Patinkin is Odin, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson is Thor, and Ed Skrein is Baldur.
Ronald D. Moore, known for *Battlestar Galactica* and *Outlander*, serves as creative director, and Frederick E. O. Toye will direct the first two episodes.
When will the God of War series be released?
Amazon has not yet announced an official release date. Ryan Hurst’s injury and the subsequent lead-actor change have altered the original production schedule, so it is unclear when filming will wrap or how long post-production will take.
Post-production is likely to play a particularly important role in a fantasy series featuring mythological creatures, elaborate battles, and unusual locations.
Dave Bautista reveals he has gained 20 more pounds of muscle for playing Kratos in ‘GOD OF WAR’.
He now weighs 250 pounds. https://t.co/fUOr0P7EAB — DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) November 1, 2026
The new workout video therefore does not yet allow for any reliable conclusions about the release date. An official photo of Dave Bautista in the full Kratos costume has also not yet been released. For now, his physical preparation is the most visible sign for fans that the recasting is moving forward.
While the weight gain alone doesn’t guarantee a convincing portrayal, it does reflect Bautista’s dedication to the role.
For God of War fans, though, screen accuracy is only one measure. Credibly portraying Kratos’s complex father-son bond and inner turmoil will matter just as much. Share your thoughts in the comments.
