Amazon has shared the first set photo from its upcoming live-action God of War series, featuring Ryan Hurst as Kratos and Callum Vinson as Atreus. The image, released on February 27, 2026, depicts Kratos teaching Atreus to hunt and has drawn mixed reactions online. Production on the series began in Culver City, California, with no release date announced yet.
On February 27, 2026, Amazon MGM Studios announced that filming had officially started on its live-action adaptation of the God of War video game series. To mark the occasion, the studio released the first production photo, showing actor Ryan Hurst as Kratos standing behind Callum Vinson as Atreus in a scene reminiscent of the 2018 God of War reboot, where Kratos instructs his son on hunting. Hurst appears topless and leaning forward in the image.
The series, first announced in 2022, is showrun by Ronald D. Moore, who also serves as an executive producer and writer. It has already been greenlit for a second season, with an expected premiere in early 2027. The cast includes Ed Skrein as Baldur, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Thor, Mandy Patinkin as Odin, Max Parker as Heimdall, Teresa Palmer as Sif, Alastair Duncan as Mimir, Jeff Gulka as Sindri, and Danny Woodburn as Brok. Frederik E.O. Toye will direct the first two episodes.
Ryan Hurst, known for voicing Thor in God of War Ragnarök—a role that earned him a BAFTA nomination—takes on the lead role of Kratos. Callum Vinson was confirmed as Atreus earlier in February 2026.
Online reactions to the photo have been largely negative, with many social media users mocking the appearance of Hurst's Kratos. Comments included comparisons to a "pre-taped SNL skit," an "alcoholic uncle taking nephew to Hooters," and suggestions that it looks like something from the "Halloween section." Some users expressed doubt about adapting the game's character design to live-action, while others noted that the image might not represent the final quality. A few reactions were neutral or positive, but criticism dominated discussions on platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
