Amazon Gives Greenlight To Live-Action ‘God Of War’ Series, Will Skip Over Original Greek Storyline In Favor Of Norse Reboot
Spencer Baculi
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It looks like God of War fans will be the next to suffer through the curse of mass market video game adaptations, as Amazon has officially given the greenlight to a live-action series based on Kratos’ rampage through the pantheons of old.
Kratos (Christopher Judge) warms himself by the fire ahead of his new adventure in God of War: Ragnarök (2022), Sony Santa Monica Studios via YouTube
Confirmed as in production on December 14th, the titular God of War’s small screen debut is set to be penned by the Children of Men and Iron Man screenwriting team of Mark Fergus and Hawk Osby under the direction of The Wheel of Time’ showrunner Rafe Judkins.
Kratos (Christopher Judge( consoles Atreus (Sunny Suljic) in God of War: Ragnarök (2022), Sony Santa Monica Studios via YouTube
Joining them in rounding out the series’ production team will be Santa Monica Studio’s creative director Cory Barlog and God of War series producer Yumi Yang, the PlayStation Productions producers behind Uncharted Asad Qizilbash and Carter Swan, and Vertigo Entertainment founder Roy Lee, all of whom will serve as executive producers.
Santa Monica Studio’s Jeff Ketcham will also serve as a co-EP.
Atreus (Sunny Suljc) argues with Andrboda (Laya DeLeon Hayes) in God of War: Ragnarök (2022), Sony Santa Monica Studios via YouTube
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However, rather than recount Kratos’ full journey starting with his carnage-filled quest for revenge against Zeus and his fellow Greek gods, Amazon’s God of War will instead opt to begin with Kratos’ self-exile to Midgard and his raising of his son Atreus, as recounted in the video game series’ recent reboots.
Kratos (Christopher Judge) cuts a rope from Týr’s (Ben Prendergast) neck in God of War: Ragnarök (2022), Sony Santa Monica Studios via YouTube
As per a synopsis of the series provided by Amazon, God of War follows Kratos, the God of War, who, after exiling himself from his blood-soaked past in ancient Greece, hangs up his weapons forever in the Norse realm of Midgard.”
“When his beloved wife dies, Kratos sets off on a dangerous journey with his estranged son to spread her ashes from the highest peak—his wife’s final wish,” it continues. “Kratos soon realizes the journey is an epic quest in disguise, one which will test the bonds between father and son, and force Kratos to battle new Gods and monsters for the fate of the world.
Atreus (Sunny Suljic) and Kratos (Christopher Judge) brace themselves for an attack in God of War: Ragnarök (2022), Sony Santa Monica Studios via YouTube
“God of War is one of PlayStation’s most awarded video games,” asserted Qizilbah in a statement given to the media, “so we’re excited to partner with Sony Pictures Television and Amazon Studios to bring our beloved franchise to fans and new audiences in a bold and authentic way.”
Kratos (Christopher Judge) shakes hands with Týr (Ben Prendergast) in God of War: Ragnarök (2022), Sony Santa Monica Studios via YouTube
Sony Pictures Television Studios President Katherine Pope likewise wrote, “We are so proud and excited to be working with our friends at Amazon Studios and our partners at PlayStation Productions to adapt this beautiful and heartbreaking game into a premium live-action series.”
“Rafe, Mark and Hawk are crafting a transportive series that charts a path through the ancient mythological journey of Kratos,” she added.
Kratos (Christopher Judge) takes on a troll in God of War: Ragnarök (2022), Sony Santa Monica Studios via YouTube
Speaking on behalf of Amazon Studios, head of global television Vernon Sanders praised, “The God of War is a compelling, character-driven franchise that we believe will captivate our global customers as much with its expansive and immersive worlds as its rich storytelling. We are honored to share in the adventure of exploring the God of War mythology in such a momentous way with Sony Pictures Television, PlayStation Productions, and Santa Monica Studio.”
Kratos (Christopher Judge) pushes the group forward as Freya (Danielle Bisutti) looks on in God of War: Ragnarök (2022), Sony Santa Monica Studios via YouTube
With this announcement, God of War has officially become the second video game title to receive a live-action adaptation from Amazon following their previously announced take on Fallout.
First revealed as in development on in July 2020 with the release of a brief teaser trailer, as of writing the only details known about this live-action trip to the wasteland is that it will be helmed by Westworld co-creator, writer, and director Jonathan Nolan and star Walter Goggins and Ella Purnell in lead roles.
#PleaseStandBy. @Fallout @BethesdaStudios #KilterFilms pic.twitter.com/IEDr7AkVvD
— Amazon Studios (@AmazonStudios) July 2, 2020
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