Prime Video’s upcoming God of War series could be fantastic if it remains faithful to certain aspects of the game. The God of War franchise began in 2005 and has become one of PlayStation’s marquee titles. The games follow Kratos, a Spartan turned Greek God who finds himself in conflict with the pantheons of both Greek and Norse mythology. The 2018 game kicked off the Norse era, introducing Kratos’ son Atreus and their dynamic as a central plot point.
There’s limited information about Prime Video’s God of War series aside from its announcement in 2022. Amazon Studios’ Head of Television Vernon Sanders expressed that the plan for the series is faithful to the game (via Collider). He described the emotional core of God of War’s narrative, saying, “At the center of it all is this story of fathers and sons, and families, set against this giant epic landscape.” While that does sound promising, there are still important factors that could make or break the adaptation.
10 God Of War Should Adapt The 2018 Game’s Story
The 2018 God of War game is a perfect modern entry point to the franchise, and the Prime Video series should look to adapt its story directly. While the idea of beginning with the original God of War trilogy appeals to long-term fans, the 2018 game does well at revealing Kratos’ origins. The more recently familiar story might have a broader appeal to hook audiences. The Last of Us proved that TV is the future of game adaptations, and the central dynamic between Joel and Ellie was a huge reason. God of War 2018’s Kratos and Atreus will likely be used to emulate its success.
9 Amazon’s God Of War Series Must Be TV-MA
The God of War franchise is known for being gruesome and bloody. While the theatrical storyline between Kratos and Atreus takes precedence in the 2018 God of War and God of War Ragnarök, action is still integral to the game’s identity. Kratos is a man defined by his history of violence and warfare. The show needs to display the Ghost of Sparta’s ruthlessness to fully enforce the meaning of his guilt and desire to grow in Midgard. The God of War show will work best if Kratos is portrayed as a tragic figure hoping to escape his past.
8 Kratos’ Greek Origins Have To Be Explored
The God of War series doesn’t need to start in Greece to explore Kratos’ origins. For players who first experienced the God of War universe through the 2018 game, the visions, flashbacks, and dialogue are enough to understand where he comes from and what happened there. However, skipping over his origin entirely and focusing purely on the Norse storyline would be a mistake, eliminating what could be a source of mysterious, mystical intrigue.
7 The God Of War TV Adaptation Should Use Actors From The Games
While certain characters would have to be re-cast, there are situations where actors from the game could work well on the TV series. Brok, Sindri, and Mimir could all be CGI-heavy characters voiced by the video game actors. If the series decided to follow this route, the casting of Sunny Suljic as Atreus and Danielle Bisutti could also remain consistent, as both actors look the part and have experience with live-action acting.
6 Bear McCreary Should Return To Compose The Score
Not only did Bear McCreary deliver the iconic score for the God of War games, but he also composed one of the best fantasy scores in movies and shows for Prime Video’s The Rings of Power. It seems fitting that Bear McCreary would be the front-runner for a Prime Video God of War show, where he could expand on the beautiful music he’s already composed for the franchise. While it would be hard to top God of War Ragnarök’s music, there’s no one better to try.
5 Kratos And Atreus’ Relationship Should Be The Centerpiece
Sony PlayStation exclusive games are known for their cinematic storylines, and The Last of Us series has proved they can successfully be adapted to television. The HBO show captured the hearts of game lovers and TV audiences alike with the relationship between Joel and Ellie, and God of War should look to do the same. Sure, Kratos is a bit more abrasive than Joel, and Atreus is far more whiny than Ellie, but their tender moments are still highlights of the game and something a TV adaptation could capitalize on.
4 God Of War Should Delay Debuting Thor And Odin
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One of the reasons the 2018 God of War’s pivot to Norse mythology was so successful is Thor and Loki’s popularity in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and shows like Vikings. With the Norse Gods so prevalent in the vernacular, their names carry a heavier weight in the game. The mentions of Thor and Odin in the first game serve as a looming threat and source of excitement for their arrival in the sequel. While it may be tempting for a TV series to show these characters earlier on, patience for their reveals can add to the impact of the characters.
3 Amazon’s God Of War Has To Depict Thor Differently To The MCU
While the temptation to ride on the MCU’s coattails with its Thor depiction might be there, the game’s subversion worked exceptionally well. Thor is depicted as massive at nearly 8 feet tall, with a burly build that gives him an imposing screen presence, even over Kratos. He’s a secondary antagonist in God of War Ragnarök and is a nuanced character that has both conflicts with Kratos and conflicts with his father, Odin.
2 God Of War Should Explore How Kratos Got To Midgard
The 2018 God of War game provides some exposition into Kratos’ past for first-time viewers, but there’s never any explanation of how Kratos got to Midgard. The mystery of it works well for the game’s otherworldly intrigue, but Kratos’ movement from Greece to Midgard might be important for viewers to understand the scope of the world. At the end of God of War 3, Kratos left the flooded Greece on a boat, making his way to the realm of the Norse Gods.
1 Dave Bautista Should Play Kratos
While names like Jason Momoa, The Rock, and even video game actor Christopher Judge have been tossed around, Dave Bautista seems like a surefire success for Kratos. Bautista has the physique to sell Kratos’ divinity and the acting chops to pull off the gruff-voiced warrior. However, physique isn’t everything, and finding an actor who can accurately resemble Kratos in God of War is essential, even if that means casting a lesser-known actor who can truly bring him to life.
Sources: Collider
