Kratos Actor Issues Cryptic Post After God of War TV Show Image Backlash

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The first official image of Ryan Hurst as Kratos and Callum Vinson as Atreus in the upcoming God of War TV series was met with significant backlash from fans, who felt the characters looked cheap or like an AI-generated deepfake. In response, Kratos actor Ryan Hurst issued a cryptic social media post saying "Don't believe everything you see on the internet, kids." Fans are now hoping this means the final on-screen versions of the characters will be significantly improved from the initial reveal.

Why it matters

The poor reception to the first God of War TV show image has raised concerns about the quality and authenticity of the upcoming adaptation. If the final product does not meet fan expectations, it could damage the show's chances of success. However, Hurst's cryptic message suggests the team may be open to making changes based on the feedback, similar to how Sonic the Hedgehog's design was overhauled for the movie adaptation.

The details

The initial God of War TV show image revealed Ryan Hurst as Kratos and Callum Vinson as Atreus. Many fans felt the characters looked cheap, like an AI-generated deepfake, or that Hurst was not muscular enough to play the iconic Kratos. After the backlash, Hurst posted a cryptic message on Instagram saying "Don't believe everything you see on the internet, kids," leading fans to hope the final on-screen versions will be significantly improved.

• The first official God of War TV show image was revealed on February 27, 2026.
• Hurst posted his cryptic Instagram message over the weekend following the initial backlash.

What they’re saying

What’s next

If the initial God of War TV show image does not accurately represent the final on-screen look, fans will be eager to see an updated, more polished version of Kratos and Atreus that better matches the source material.