Dave Bautista is rebuilding his physique for his new role as Kratos in Prime Video’s God of War adaptation. The actor revealed that he has gained 20 pounds while preparing to play the central character in the video game-inspired series.

In an Instagram Story posted on November 1, Bautista shared a photo of himself flexing while wearing a God of War T-shirt. The post stated that he had gained 20 pounds for the production and included a “250” sticker indicating his current weight.

Bautista began preparing for the role after Prime Video recast Kratos in August. Ryan Hurst had originally been cast, but he tore his bicep while performing a stunt during filming and required surgery. Continuing with Hurst would have delayed production until 2027, leading the studio to replace him. Since four episodes had already been filmed, those scenes will be reshot with Bautista.

Bautista is best known for playing Drax the Destroyer in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy films, although he first became famous as a WWE wrestler. The actor had previously reduced his muscle mass while pursuing more dramatic roles, but he has now returned to weight training for the Spartan warrior.

The recasting initially drew criticism from fans who had been anticipating Hurst’s performance. Some viewers argued on social media that Prime Video should have waited for Hurst to recover. Bautista’s physical preparation nevertheless demonstrates his commitment to taking over the role, although the audience’s response will not be known until the series is released.

Prime Video’s God of War is based on the two most recent PlayStation games and received a two-season order, with both seasons scheduled to film back-to-back. The story follows Kratos and his ten-year-old son, Atreus, as they travel to spread the ashes of Faye, Kratos’ wife and Atreus’ mother. During their journey, Kratos attempts to teach his son to become a better god, while Atreus encourages his father to become a better human.

The series does not yet have a release date, although it is expected to premiere on Prime Video in late 2027.

Sources: Comic Book Resources.