The acclaimed PlayStation video game series "God of War" is officially being adapted into a live-action series by Amazon Prime Video, with significant casting announcements confirming that the epic Norse saga is moving closer to production. The show is set to primarily focus on the events of the 2018 "God of War" game, which reimagined the tragic Greek general Kratos in the frigid Norse wilderness, accompanied by his son Atreus.

Ed Skrein has been cast as Baldur, a pivotal antagonist and one of Odin's sons. Baldur, who serves as the main villain in the 2018 game, is cursed to feel no physical sensation, leading to a bloodlust and a relentless search for a worthy opponent. His portrayal by Skrein, known for villainous roles in "Deadpool" and "Rebel Moon," sets him up as a major challenge for Ryan Hurst's Kratos and Callum Vinson's Atreus. Skrein takes over the role previously voiced by Emmy winner Jeremy Davies in the original game.

The narrative begins with Kratos, the infamous Ghost of Sparta, who, after a brutal past as a Spartan warrior tricked by Ares into murdering his family in ancient Greece, has settled in the Norse realm of Midgard. Cursed to wear his family's ashes, giving his skin its pale white appearance, he once wielded the fiery Blades of Chaos. Now, in the Norse lands, he wields the Leviathan Axe, capable of magically returning to him. Following the death of his new wife, Faye, Kratos and his young son, Atreus, embark on a perilous journey to spread her ashes atop the highest peak in the nine realms.

Atreus, portrayed by newcomer Callum Vinson, is Kratos's more gentle and sickly son. Despite his sensitive nature and skill as an archer, he must learn the harsh realities of survival from his gruff father. Their quest quickly brings them into conflict with the Aesir gods. Baldur first encounters Kratos while searching for the Jötunn Guardian, leading to a destructive misunderstanding and a lasting grudge. Unable to defeat Kratos alone, Baldur enlists his nephews, Thor's sons Magni and Modi (though these roles are yet to be cast), to aid him, becoming a constant nuisance during Kratos and Atreus's journey.

The series will feature a pantheon of Norse gods and characters. Ryan Hurst, who previously voiced Thor in "God of War: Ragnarok," takes on the lead role of Kratos. Mandy Patinkin ("Criminal Minds," "Homeland") is cast as Odin, the All-Father and tyrannical ruler of Asgard, known for spying across the realms. Ólafur Darri Ólafsson ("Severance") will play Thor, the god of thunder and wielder of Mjolnir, a formidable opponent to Kratos, despite Hurst previously voicing the character in the games. Max Parker ("Boots") is Heimdall, the arrogant god of foresight. Teresa Palmer is Sif, Thor's wife. Veteran actor Alastair Duncan reprises his game role as Mimir, the wise, decapitated ex-advisor, while Danny Woodburn and Jeff Gulka are cast as the dwarven blacksmith brothers Brok and Sindri, key allies to Kratos and Atreus.

While the adaptation primarily focuses on the 2018 game, casting decisions suggest that viewers may encounter some characters introduced in its 2022 sequel, "God of War: Ragnarok," earlier in the series. Pre-production is currently underway in Vancouver, with Ronald D. Moore ("Battlestar Galactica") serving as writer, showrunner, and executive producer. Frederick E.O. Toye ("Shōgun") is on board to direct the first two episodes. Though a start date for filming has not yet been announced, the series is inching closer to bringing Kratos's epic Norse adventures to live-action, joining a growing list of successful video game adaptations like "Fallout" and "The Last of Us."