Video game adaptations have had a bit of a rocky history. Movies like the ill-fated 2005 Doom, the infamous Super Mario Bros. movie, and even the latest Uncharted film have all been failures in their own unique ways, and for the longest time, a good game-to-movie adaptation was thought impossible. But the industry may be about to undergo a significant change. Though it isn't out, HBO's The Last of Us show looks phenomenal, and it could pave the way for future prestige shows based on video game properties, just like the recently announced Amazon God of War show.
Heavily rumored for over a decade, God of War is finally getting a live-action adaptation, and it seems as though Amazon is willing to shell out the cash for it. Officially confirmed by Amazon on December 14, its live-action God of War show will essentially cover the events of God of War 2018, with its official description stating that Kratos and his son will embark on a quest to spread his wife's ashes. While Amazon can certainly put its money where its mouth is, it also needs some strong talent in front of the camera, and there are a few clear choices for God of War's leading man, Kratos.
Christopher Judge
Perhaps the most obvious choice, Amazon's God of War should just hire Christopher Judge for the role of Kratos. One of the key reasons behind God of War 2018's success was its grounded, but complex portrayal of Kratos, and Christopher Judge is the main one to thank for such a reinvention of the character. Having now voiced the character in two extremely successful installments, Christopher Judge has clearly grown very attached to the character of Kratos, and his ability to convey such nuanced emotion in his performance is incredibly impressive. While voice acting performances don't always translate well to the big screen, Christopher Judge has plenty of experience in front of the camera as well, with a lead performance in several Stargate series.
Jason Momoa
Though his time as DC's Aquaman hasn't been great, Jason Momoa always makes the very best of what he's given, and it's about time he was given a meatier role. Momoa has proven throughout his career that he has the physicality required to play Kratos, and though his roles haven't always shown it, he's clearly a very talented actor. Kratos would finally give Momoa the complex, grounded performance his career deserves, and his natural charm would be used to great avail in any scenes with Mimir.
Winston Duke
Shooting to fame with his very first feature film role in Black Panther, Winston Duke has quickly become one of the hottest rising talents in Hollywood. His role as M'Baku in the MCU shows that Duke already has the physicality of Kratos down, with his fight scenes showing both his hand-to-hand and weapon stunt work. While Duke may not have had much experience in the industry yet, it's clear that the actor has some real talent, and if Amazon are wanting to avoid star casting, then Duke could be a great middle-ground.
Jon Bernthal
A bit of a wild card in the list, Jon Bernthal could actually make for a great Kratos. After his portrayal of The Punisher in the Netflix Marvel universe, it's clear to see that Bernthal can play a part that's dealing with extreme loss and guilt over a past life, and he can play it well. Bernthal has shown throughout the years that he's capable of playing a character that's stoic and calm, but is capable of unleashing his anger at a moment's notice, and that sounds like a perfect fit for Kratos.
God of War will premiere on Amazon Prime Video.