Batista is set to land one of the biggest roles of his Hollywood career. The former WWE Champion has been cast as Kratos in the live-action God of War series for Prime Video.
According to Variety, Dave Bautista has closed his deal to star in the adaptation, wrapping up negotiations that had been ongoing since early August.
Batista will replace Ryan Hurst, who was originally cast as Kratos. Hurst suffered a serious bicep injury during an action scene in June and required surgery, with a recovery timeline that would have prevented Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Television from getting production back on schedule.
Fightful Wrestling @Fightful Follow (@Variety)
10:15 PM · Aug 20, 2026The transition will be a major undertaking. Four episodes had already been filmed with Hurst in the lead role before production shut down, and those scenes will all need to be reshot with Batista as Kratos. Prime Video has already ordered two seasons of God of War, with both planned to shoot back-to-back.
The first season will primarily adapt the story of the 2018 God of War game, following Kratos and his son Atreus, played by Callum Vinson, on a journey to spread Faye’s ashes. Ronald D. Moore serves as showrunner.
For WWE fans, this marks another major chapter in Batista’s post-ring career. The former Evolution member captured six world championships in WWE and wrestled his final match on April 7, 2019, losing to Triple H at WrestleMania 35. Just hours later, he officially announced his retirement from pro wrestling.