Dave Bautista has revealed that he has added 20 pounds of muscle mass in preparation for his role as Kratos in Prime Video's upcoming God of War series. The actor shared this update via an Instagram story featuring a new video, accompanied by text stating "Gained 20 lbs for GOW" and a sticker indicating his current weight is 250 pounds. In the post, Bautista was also seen wearing a God of War t-shirt.
Bautista officially took over the role in August after Ryan Hurst was forced to withdraw from the production due to a torn bicep sustained during a stunt. At that time, Hurst's recovery timeline made his continued participation impossible. Following the recasting, Bautista posted a video in early September showing his initial progress after three weeks of weight training, noting he had two months to reach the necessary physical condition for the character.
This latest transformation addresses previous concerns from fans regarding Bautista's suitability for the muscular Spartan warrior. During his WWE wrestling career, the actor maintained an average weight of 290 pounds, but he had significantly reduced his muscle mass in recent years to pursue diverse acting roles and feel more comfortable on camera. His dramatic slimming led some to question his ability to embody Kratos when his casting was first confirmed.
The Prime Video series is set during the Norse mythology era of the PlayStation franchise. The show follows Kratos and his son Atreus, played by Callum Vinson, as they journey to scatter the ashes of their wife and mother, Faye, at the highest peak of the nine realms. Two seasons of the adaptation have already been ordered.
Sources: IGN.