Amazon’s long-awaitedGod of WarTV adaptation has been in the works for quite some time, and while it’s set to focus on the franchise’s more recent Norse saga, there’s a lot of hope among fans that the show won’t forget where Kratos came from. Given how much of Kratos' emotional core is rooted in his violent past, including snippets of the Greek saga could be key to making theGod of WarTV series resonate with both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
Back in 2022, Amazon secured the rights to bringGod of Warto the small screen after winning a competitive bidding war. Initially, screenwriters Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby (Children of Men,Iron Man) and showrunner Rafe Judkins (The Wheel of Time) were attached, but all three exited the project in 2024. Their departure led to Ronald D. Moore (Outlander,For All Mankind) stepping in as thenew showrunner for theGod of WarTV series. The current plan is to adapt the story ofGod of War (2018), which entailed Kratos' journey with his son Atreus across the Norse realms to fulfill his late wife’s final wish.
However, whileGod of War’s Norse chapter is emotionally rich and critically acclaimed, it’s far from the beginning of Kratos' tale. TheoriginalGod of Wartrilogyand its spin-offs told the story of a rage-fueled Spartan warrior who, after selling his soul to Ares and being tricked into murdering his own wife and daughter, set out on a blood-soaked path of vengeance against the Greek gods. These games were seminal in establishing Kratos as one of gaming’s most iconic characters, and helped turnGod of Warinto a household name. The 2018 Norse reboot of theGod of Warseries picked up a while after the end of the Greek saga, showing a calmer, more introspective Kratos trying to escape his past and raise Atreus in peace.
Why God of War’s Greek Saga Must Be Included in the TV Series
This is why it’scritical for theGod of WarTV series to not skip the Greek sagaor treat it as mere backstory. Flashbacks to Kratos' life in Greece - or even dedicated episodes - could add emotional depth and narrative clarity to his actions in the Norse lands. His grief, restraint, and desire to protect Atreus carry more weight when viewers understand the full extent of the violence and tragedy Kratos is trying to leave behind, and also aboutwhat he’s capable of if any Norse gods feel like they could threaten his peace. Moreover, contrasting the fiery chaos of Olympus during Kratos' war path with the frigid stillness of Midgard could give rise to some of the most visually and thematically stunning scenes in theGod of WarTV show.
TheGod of WarTV series currently doesn’t have a release window yet, and given the complete production reset it underwent in October 2024, the show most likely won’t be out for a few more years. Moore recently provided adevelopment update on theGod of WarTV series, revealing that the team is currently working on scripts and has been consulting withGod of War 2andGod of War (2018)director Cory Barlog for the same.
