Amazon has revealed the first look at their upcoming TV Series, ‘God of War,’ based on the video game of the same name, marking the start of production. However, the reaction to the first impression didn't go well, as Amazon had expected.
‘God of War’ began filming on February 25, 2026, and is expected to run until April 01, 2027, with plans to film two seasons in one go. The filming for the 10-episode first season is taking place in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Lawrence Trilling has joined the series' list of directors. Trilling credits include shows like Goliath, Alias, Invasion, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, Outer Range, Parenthood, and Agent Carter, among many. Lawrence Trilling will direct two episodes (possibly the 3rd and 4th episode)
The first-look image that features stars Ryan Hurst and Callum Vinson in the roles of Kratos and Atreus has now become the topic of discussion, but not in the way the Studio intended. Many video game fans pointed out that Kratos’ armor and skin look brand-new instead of battle-scarred and lived-in. The outfits look cheap, as if they are dressed up for Halloween. Even though everyone knows it’s a real on-set photo by Leah Gallo, tons of people said it has that weird look, making it more like an AI-generated image. Since the filming began only on the previous day, this image is unlikely to have any post-production visual effects. If I have to guess, it seems like a raw image from the sets, but with AI-generated effects. Even the actor Ryan Hurst came out reading the heavy criticism on social media and wrote, "Don’t believe everything you see on the internet, kids."
A huge chunk of the memes and comments fixated on Ryan Hurst not looking shredded like game Kratos. Callum Vinson’s hair is described as “product-heavy” and too modern; some say he looks younger than expected.
1. Kinda looks Ai. Like there is some uncanny valley stuff going on here.
— Lord Botha of Memesalot (@LordBotha) February 27, 2026
2. My man didn’t even try to get in shape to play Kratos…
This show is gonna be a generational tragedy. PlayStation fanboys especially are gonna want to riot.
Let’s not get silly here they could’ve done so much better. Beard looks cheap and glued on, Kratos looks “concerned” instead of steadfast, godlike fitness is missing etc.
— Joe (@andreyjosephs) February 27, 2026
Uhh…… am I the only one who thinks this looks kinda cheap and very cosplay-y? Ryan Hurst should’ve packed on more muscle for the role ngl… https://t.co/BZ4NXwiAOE
— 𝙆𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙨 (@GhostOfSparta1_) February 27, 2026
The cast of the show includes Ryan Hurst as Kratos, Callum Vinson as Atreus, Mandy Patinkin as Odin, Ed Skrein as Baldur, Max Parker as Heimdall, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Thor, Teresa Palmer as Sif, Alastair Duncan as Mimir, Jeff Gulka as Sindri, and Danny Woodburn as Brok.
The God of War series storyline follows father and son Kratos and Atreus as they embark on a journey to spread the ashes of their wife and mother, Faye. Through their adventures, Kratos tries to teach his son to be a better god, while Atreus tries to teach his father how to be a better human.
Ronald D. Moore (Battlestar Galactica, Outlander) serves as showrunner, executive producer, and writer of God of War. Additional executive producers include Maril Davis, Cory Barlog, Naren Shankar, Matthew Graham, Asad Qizilbash, Jeff Ketcham, Hermen Hulst, Roy Lee, and Brad Van Arragon. Joe Menosky, Marc Bernardin, Tania Lotia, and Ben McGinnis serve as co-executive producers on the series. Emmy Award-winning director Frederick E.O. Toye (Shōgun, The Boys, Fallout) has also signed on to direct the first two episodes of the series (three in total). Other directors signed up include Lawrence Trilling.