WWE Hall of Famer Dave Bautista is diving back into his wrestling roots to take on the role of Kratos for Prime Video. Just three weeks after being cast as the legendary Greek god, Bautista shared a gym video showing his intense training. The clip captures him roaring at the camera, reminiscent of Kratos from the PlayStation games. His caption reads, “Third week into weight training again. Two more months to get where I need to be. Like ridin’ a bike!”
This isn’t an easy task for Bautista. After losing 75 pounds for his role in Knock at the Cabin, he’s now working to regain the muscle mass that made him famous as “The Animal” in WWE. The decision came after Ryan Hurst, originally cast as Kratos, suffered a biceps injury during a stunt. Due to the lengthy recovery needed, Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Television decided to recast the role.
Bautista’s journey is different from Hurst’s, who had more time to build muscle for the part. Bautista only has two months to transform his body before production restarts in Vancouver this October. The series, run by Ronald D. Moore, follows Kratos and his son Atreus as they travel through Midgard with Faye’s ashes. Other actors include Mandy Patinkin, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Ed Skrein, and Teresa Palmer. Two seasons have been ordered, with a premiere expected in late 2027.
The video Bautista shared is a glimpse of his progress. While not yet the full Kratos, he’s clearly back to his wrestling roots—shoulders, chest, and that iconic Batista snarl all returning. Fans are excited to see him step into the role of the God of War once again.