Christopher Judge Officially Addresses His Comments On God Of War Series
God Of War Actor Christopher Judge Clarifies He Isn't Pushing For Kratos Role In TV Series
Earlier this week, Christopher Judge, who plays Kratos in the more recent God of War games, took aim at the upcoming Prime Video series. Speaking at a FanExpo convention, he explained that his problem with video game adaptations is that "you have this pre-existing, successful property, and the first thing you do is not hire anyone associated with it."
Many assumed that Judge was frustrated because he hadn't been cast as Kratos, and that, after Ryan Hurst's injury and the ongoing recast, he wanted to reprise the role in live-action. "The Last of Us — loved Pedo [Pascal] — were they better than the game cast?" Judge said. "I saw a stage reading that they did. It was unreal. I have no idea why you don't take that cast, those writers, especially when you are going to do episodes that are shot-for-shot remakes of the game."
However, in a follow-up post to X, he clarified that he has no interest in being cast as Kratos, and is instead frustrated that the writers and developers who made these games are not involved in their adaptations.
"As my kids tell me I'm old as balls. I truly hope they find someone as great as Ryan," Judge said. "I was talking more about our writers and devs. I really want them to get the love and respect they deserve. I hope that for all writers and developers of the games that we love. No disrespect to TV and film writers. I had some of the best on Stargate."
"These Guys Have Been Immersed In This World For 20 Years"
Indeed, in his initial comment, Judge specifically focused on the behind-the-scenes talent who weave together these stories being absent from the Prime Video series; "They didn't hire any of the God of War writers... what are you thinking? These guys have been immersed in this world for 20 years. But someone's going to know better?"
While the series isn't penned by the games' writers, series veteran Cory Barlog, who served as lead animator on the very first game and later directed God of War 2, the 2018 soft reboot, and Ragnarök, is an executive producer, leveraging his extensive knowledge of the franchise to help adapt it for the small screen. Ryan Hurst, who was originally cast as Kratos, also played Thor in the games, so there is some shared DNA between the two.
Though it would certainly help these kinds of adaptations to remain faithful if they involved the writers directly, like the talented Matt Sophos and Richard Zangrande Gaubert, who spearheaded the narrative of the Norse saga. Maybe then we'd avoid repeats of Borderlands and Halo, eh?