Dave Bautista gains 20 pounds for God of War role

Dave Bautista has revealed that he has gained another 20 pounds of muscle to prepare for his role as Kratos in Prime Video’s upcoming God of War series, bringing his current weight to 250 pounds as he continues his physical transformation for the highly anticipated adaptation.

The 57-year-old actor shared the latest update through a video posted to his Instagram story. The clip featured the words “Gained 20 lbs for GOW” alongside a sticker displaying “250,” highlighting the progress he has made during his preparation for the demanding role. Bautista also wore a God of War T-shirt in the video, offering fans a glimpse of his commitment to portraying the iconic video game character.

His latest update follows an earlier announcement in September, when the actor revealed that he had resumed weight training and was three weeks into his fitness routine. At the time, he said he had approximately two more months to reach the physical condition required for the role.

Bautista officially signed on to play Kratos in August, taking over the character after Ryan Hurst’s departure from the project. Hurst had originally been selected for the role but reportedly suffered a biceps injury that required surgery. The recovery process was expected to delay production, potentially pushing filming into 2027.

Hurst had reportedly gained around 40 pounds to prepare for the character, and several episodes featuring his performance were expected to require reshoots. Bautista’s deal was finalised on August 20, paving the way for the production team to move forward with the casting change.

Filming for the series began in Vancouver in February. Following Bautista’s casting, the production is expected to reshoot scenes previously filmed with Hurst to ensure continuity throughout the adaptation. Bautista’s recent comments suggest that filming could resume in November, although earlier reports indicated that production might return in October.

The exact weight Bautista is expected to reach for the role has not been confirmed. However, some speculation suggests that he could eventually approach 280 pounds as he continues building muscle to portray the powerful Norse god-slayer.

Prime Video has already ordered two seasons of the series, with both seasons scheduled to be filmed back-to-back. The ambitious production will adapt the two most recent God of War video games, bringing their emotional storyline and mythological battles to television audiences.

The story follows Kratos as he raises his ten-year-old son, Atreus, played by Callum Vinson, while confronting the gods of Norse mythology. Their journey begins with a mission to scatter the ashes of Faye, Atreus’ mother and Kratos’ wife. Along the way, father and son encounter dangerous enemies while navigating their complicated relationship and learning to understand one another.

Although the series has generated considerable interest among fans of the original games, Prime Video has yet to announce an official release date.

Bautista is no stranger to major physical transformations for his acting career. In 2024, he revealed that his weight had dropped to approximately 240 pounds after previously reaching 315 pounds while preparing for Knock at the Cabin. His latest transformation demonstrates another significant shift in his fitness routine as he prepares to take on the demanding role of Kratos.

The actor has built a diverse film career with appearances in projects including My Spy and The Wrecking Crew. He is also expected to appear in Road House 2 and the upcoming Highlander reboot.

With his training progressing and production preparations continuing, Bautista’s transformation has added to the anticipation surrounding Prime Video’s God of War adaptation.