Video game adaptations are no joke. A single mistake in details can be a recipe for disaster at the box office. Over the years, however, some adaptations have seen massive success, most especially when spearheaded by major Hollywood actors and actresses.
The iconic roles of Angelina Jolie and Tom Holland, for example, gave life to the characters in Tomb Raider and Uncharted. The most recent foray into a video game role comes from none other than Pedro Pascal, who is set to appear in the upcoming release of the Last of Us series from HBO, and the recent trailers alone (one of which is below) seem to prove that he is indeed born to play the role of Joel.
God of War, another major franchise from Sony, is confirmed to be getting a live-action series courtesy of Amazon Prime Video. With that in mind, it is interesting to see who will don the Ghost of Sparta. Some fans would even agree that Christopher Judge, the voice actor of Kratos, can be a fit for the role. That or a more well-known Hollywood actor would play The Marked Warrior in his earliest adventures.
For now, here is a look at some of the top picks for the role.
Dave Bautista
Not only is Batista a favorite among fans, but he himself has also supported the idea of bringing Kratos to life. He even referenced it in the recent The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. It is no question that the wrestler-turned-actor has the right physique and panache to be the Ghost of Sparta.
Richard Armitage
Richard Armitage is known for his iconic role in The Hobbit Trilogy, playing Thorin Oakenshield. He can easily provide the much-needed emotional weight to portray the tragic life of Kratos. Besides, he has already played a similar, vengeful quest in the films. His fight against Smaug is exactly the same as Kratos’ war against Ares and the might of Mount Olympus.
Ma Dong-seok
One of the most popular actors from South Korea, Ma Dong-seok even furthers his popularity after playing the role of Gilgamesh in Marvel’s Eternals. His character shares the same traits as Kratos; both immortal demigods and hold unfathomable strength. His intense performances could certainly fit the early adventures of Kratos in Greece.
Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson
It is impossible not to include Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson in the discussion. After all, he is widely known for portraying a massively brutal character named Gregor Clegane (also known as The Mountain) in Game of Thrones. He is by far the mightiest and strongest candidate on the list. If he does not get the role of Kratos, he could still be a viable option for Hercules or even Ares.
Tom Hardy
His portrayal as Bane in the Dark Knight Rises is proof that he can handle even the most complex of characters; he is more than capable both emotionally and physically. His depth in acting could beautifully portray Kratos and the humanization of his rage. Hardy’s inclusion could very well bring a deeper approach to the character.
