Dave Bautista has shared a new update on his transformation for Prime Video's God of War series, saying he has gained 20 pounds to play Kratos.
The actor posted a video on his Instagram story with the text "Gained 20 lbs for GOW" and a "250" sticker, which Variety and IGN said indicates his current weight. He wore a God of War T-shirt in the post. Deadline reported that he is now back at 250 pounds and has also grown out his beard to better resemble Kratos.
In early September, Bautista shared a shirtless update on Instagram. "3rd week in to weight training again. 2 more months to get to where I need to be. Like ridin a bike! LFG!" he wrote.
Why he is bulking up
Bautista signed on to play Kratos in August, replacing Ryan Hurst, who was originally cast and tore a bicep while performing a stunt. Deadline reported that the injury happened in June, four months into shooting. According to Variety, Hurst needed surgery that would have delayed production into 2027, and all of the scenes with Hurst will have to be reshot with Bautista.
The role marks a return to a much bigger frame. The WWE lists Bautista's ring weight at 290 pounds, and he fought mixed martial arts at 265, according to Deadline. He went over 300 pounds while preparing for M. Night Shyamalan's Knock at the Cabin, then slimmed down considerably.
Bautista told the podcast Insight with Chris Van Vliet in 2024 that he lost 75 pounds through diet and jiu-jitsu training. "I started slimming down because I…was uncomfortably big. Now looking back at it, I probably overdid it," he said.
The series
God of War follows father and son Kratos and Atreus (Callum Vinson) as they set out to spread the ashes of their wife and mother, Faye. Prime Video has given the show a two-season order, with the two seasons set to shoot back-to-back, Variety reported.
The cast also includes Mandy Patinkin as Odin, Ed Skrein as Baldur, Max Parker as Heimdall and Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Thor.
Bautista will next appear in Road House 2 and the Highlander reboot.
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