Dave Bautista Adds 20 Pounds of Muscle for Prime Video’s “God of War” Role
The former WWE star has bulked up to 250 pounds to portray Kratos in the upcoming series.
Dave Bautista added 20 pounds of muscle for his role as Kratos in Prime Video’s “God of War” series.
The Guardians of the Galaxy actor officially took over the part from Ryan Hurst in August after Hurst suffered a bicep tear during a stunt and was withdrawn from the production.
In early September, Bautista posted an Instagram video showing his workout progress, noting three weeks of weight training and a two‑month window to reach his target physique.
On November 1, 2026, he shared another Instagram story with the caption “Gained 20 lbs for GOW” and a “250” sticker, indicating his current weight of 250 pounds, while wearing a “God of War” t‑shirt.
During his WWE career, Bautista maintained an average weight of 290 pounds, but he later reduced his muscle mass to broaden his acting opportunities. Some fans questioned his suitability for the muscular Kratos, but his recent bulk suggests he has addressed those concerns.
The series, set in the Norse mythology era of the PlayStation franchise, will follow father and son Kratos (Bautista) and Atreus (Callum Vinson) as they embark on a journey to spread the ashes of their wife and mother, Faye, at the highest peak of the nine realms. Two seasons have been ordered.
Bautista’s transformation underscores the physical expectations placed on actors portraying iconic video‑game heroes.
