The God of War series that's currently in the works from Sony Pictures Television and Amazon is set to begin shooting next year, and while no casting details have been announced, we now have an update on which characters from the video games will be joining Kratos and Atreus in the live-action adaptation.
Here are the main character breakdowns (via Daniel Richtman).
Zion – A male in his 40s to 60s, any ethnicity. A war-hardened, muscular figure haunted by loss and a violent past. After his wife’s death, he’s forced to raise his 10-year-old son, though he struggles to connect emotionally. The role demands comfort with intense physicality, hand-to-hand combat, and possible nudity. (Series Regular).
Alexander – A white male in his 60s to 70s. Despite his unassuming appearance, Alexander is described as a manipulative and god-like patriarch obsessed with prophecy and control. He’s powerful, cruel, and willing to sacrifice his own family for survival. (Series Regular).
Joshua – A boy aged 9 to 12, any ethnicity. Intelligent, curious, and emotionally neglected, Joshua seeks his father’s approval in a cold, unforgiving world. The role includes physical combat and weapons training. (One-Year Series Regular).
Glen – A white male in his 30s to 40s. Handsome, sharp, and calculating, Glen feels overshadowed by his brothers and carries his father’s manipulative streak. The character requires comfort with combat, simulated sex, and nudity. (Series Regular).
Phoebe - Female, any ethnicity, Age 30s - 40s. A beautiful woman from modest roots, Phoebe’s life changed for the better after marrying a powerful man, granting her access to resources she never had. Despite her upbringing, she often feels like an outsider and must constantly prove herself to a family who doesn’t fully accept her. She has three children she loves dearly, but her husband’s descent into self-hatred and alcoholism led to their emotional drift. Phoebe’s quiet intelligence and diplomatic skills help her navigate the cruel world of gods, though she remains deeply suspicious of her father-in-law’s motives, especially concerning her daughter. Must be comfortable with simulated sex and nudity. (Series Regular).
Zion and Joshua are obviously Kratos and Atreus, and we assume Alexander is Odin and Glen is Baldur. We initially thought Phoebe must be Freya, but there are some details in her description that lead us to believe that she is actually Thor's wife, Sif.
A recent rumor did claim to reveal a shortlist of actors that might be in line to play Kratos, including Dave Bautista, Henry Cavill, Winston Duke and Joe Manganiello. We wouldn't put too much stock in this, but there's always a chance at least a couple of these names are on the studio's radar.
"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," said Vernon Sanders, head of global television at Amazon Studios, back when the series was officially announced. "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."
"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," added Katherine Pope, president of Sony Pictures Television Studios.
"God of War is one of PlayStation’s most awarded video games, 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," said Asad Qizilbash, head of PlayStation Productions.
Based on the official synopsis, this series looks set to be a pretty faithful take on the 2018 video game, but it sounds like it will also adapt elements of the more recent God of War: Ragnarök.
"[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," it reads. "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."
"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."