'God of War' actor Christopher Judge questions Amazon’s use of new cast and writers

Christopher Judge, the voice actor behind Kratos in the God of War games, has criticised the approach taken to Amazon’s upcoming live-action adaptation, questioning why the series has not brought more of the original game cast and writers on board.

Speaking at FanExpo, Judge discussed his concerns about video game adaptations and the tendency for studios to use different actors and creative teams when bringing established games to television.

“You have this pre-existing, successful property, and the first thing you do is not hire anyone associated with it,” Judge said.

He used HBO’s The Last of Us as an example, praising Pedro Pascal while questioning whether the television cast was preferable to the original game performers.

“The Last of Us, love Pedro [Pascal], [but] were they better than the game cast? I saw a stage reading that they did. It was unreal. I have no idea why you don’t take that cast, those writers, especially when you are going to do episodes that are shot-for-shot remakes of the game.”

Judge then addressed Amazon’s God of War series, which is being developed around the Norse era introduced in the 2018 game and continued in God of War Ragnarök.

Although God of War creative lead Cory Barlog is attached as an executive producer, Judge questioned the decision not to bring the games’ writers into the television production.

“When Amazon was finally approved and announced and they didn’t hire any of the God of War writers… what are you thinking?” he said. “These guys have been immersed in this world for 20 years. But someone’s going to know better?”

Judge is not expected to play Kratos in the series. Ryan Hurst was initially cast in the role before suffering an injury on set, while Dave Bautista has reportedly been considered as his replacement.