Amazon’s God of War live-action series just took a major step forward with new casting rumors. According to insider Daniel Richtman, Max Parker, who recently gained recognition for his role in Netflix’s military drama Boots, is in talks to play Baldur in the highly anticipated adaptation. Meanwhile, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson from Apple TV’s Severance is reportedly being considered for Thor. While nothing has been officially confirmed, the news has generated significant buzz among fans who have been anxiously waiting to see who will bring these iconic characters to life.
Who Is Max Parker
Max Parker is a 33-year-old English actor who has been building an impressive resume across television and film. He’s best known for playing Sergeant Liam Robert Sullivan in Netflix’s Boots, a complex role where he portrays a closeted elite Recon Marine struggling with his identity while maintaining an exemplary military career. Parker has also appeared in shows like Emmerdale (as Luke Posner from 2019 to 2021), Vampire Academy (as Mikhail Tanner), and Doctor Who. His breakout performance in Boots showcased his ability to handle physically demanding and emotionally layered characters, making him an interesting choice for Baldur.
Physically, Parker bears some clear similarities to Santa Monica Studio’s interpretation of Baldur from the 2018 God of War game. He’s in excellent shape and has demonstrated the intensity required for action-heavy roles. Fans on social media have responded positively to the rumored casting, noting that he has the right look and acting chops to portray Odin’s unfeeling, unkillable son who serves as the primary antagonist in the game’s opening hours.
Thor Casting and Series Direction
The rumored casting of Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Thor is equally intriguing. The 52-year-old Icelandic actor won critical acclaim for his role as Mr. Drummond in Severance and has received awards for his work in The Deep and The Minister. Standing at 6-foot-2 with impressive facial hair and a build similar to the game’s version of Thor, Olafsson appears to be a natural fit for the Mjolnir-wielding god. Fans have specifically cited his voice as another trait that makes him perfect for the character.
What’s particularly interesting about these casting choices is that Thor only appears in an end credits cameo in God of War 2018, suggesting the Amazon series might expand his role for the first season. The show could potentially explore the Aesir pantheon more deeply rather than having their stories unfold entirely in the background. Both roles are described as physically demanding and emotionally heavy, indicating the adaptation will stay faithful to the source material’s epic scale and emotional depth.
Production Timeline and Status
The God of War series has been in development since Amazon initially greenlit it in 2022. The project experienced some turbulence when original showrunner Rafe Judkins departed in October 2024, but Ronald D. Moore quickly stepped in to take over. Moore, known for his work on Battlestar Galactica and For All Mankind, serves as writer, executive producer, and showrunner under his Tall Ship Productions label.
Production is scheduled to begin in Vancouver in March 2026, with veteran director Frederick E.O. Toye confirmed to helm the first two episodes. Toye brings serious credentials, having won an Emmy for directing FX’s Shogun in 2024 and directed episodes of Westworld, The Walking Dead, Watchmen, The Boys, and Fallout. Amazon has already commissioned two seasons of the show, demonstrating significant confidence in the project. The casting process is currently underway, though the crucial roles of Kratos and Atreus remain unannounced.
What Fans Can Expect
The God of War adaptation is a collaboration between Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios, partnering with PlayStation Productions and Tall Ship Productions. Given the involvement of PlayStation Productions, which has been protective of its gaming IP in previous adaptations like The Last of Us, fans can likely expect a series that respects the source material while making necessary adjustments for the television format.
The casting rumors suggest Amazon is prioritizing actors who can handle both the physical demands of action sequences and the emotional complexity that made the 2018 game so compelling. God of War’s story centers on the relationship between Kratos and his son Atreus as they journey through Norse mythology to spread the ashes of Kratos’ wife. The game balanced brutal combat with surprisingly tender character moments, and the reported casting choices indicate the show aims to capture that same balance.
FAQs
Who is Max Parker playing in the God of War series?
Max Parker is reportedly in talks to play Baldur, the primary antagonist from the 2018 God of War game. Baldur is Odin’s son who cannot feel anything due to a spell cast by his mother, Freya, making him invulnerable but unable to experience physical sensations.
When will the God of War TV series start filming?
Production is scheduled to begin in Vancouver in March 2026. The series is currently in preproduction, with casting decisions being finalized and director Frederick E.O. Toye confirmed to direct the first two episodes.
Who is directing the God of War series?
Frederick E.O. Toye will direct at least the first two episodes. Toye is an Emmy-winning director known for his work on Shogun, Westworld, The Walking Dead, Watchmen, The Boys, and Amazon’s Fallout series.
Has Amazon cast Kratos yet?
No official casting announcement has been made for Kratos or Atreus, the two lead characters. Fans have speculated about actors like Dave Bautista, Jason Momoa, Joe Manganiello, and even Christopher Judge (who voices Kratos in the games) for the role, but nothing has been confirmed.
How many seasons of God of War has Amazon ordered?
Amazon has commissioned two seasons of the God of War series upfront, showing significant confidence in the project before a single episode has aired. This is relatively unusual and suggests Amazon views this as a potential flagship franchise.
Who is the showrunner for God of War?
Ronald D. Moore is the current showrunner, writer, and executive producer. Moore took over after original showrunner Rafe Judkins departed the project in October 2024. Moore is known for his acclaimed work on Battlestar Galactica and For All Mankind.
Will the God of War series follow the 2018 game’s story?
While official plot details haven’t been released, the casting rumors and production descriptions suggest the series will stay faithful to the 2018 game. However, casting Thor for the first season indicates the show may expand certain storylines that were only hinted at in the game.
Conclusion
The rumored casting of Max Parker as Baldur represents an exciting development for Amazon’s God of War adaptation. Parker’s recent work in Boots demonstrated he can handle the physical intensity and emotional complexity required for one of gaming’s most memorable antagonists. Combined with the potential casting of Ólafur Darri Ólafsson as Thor and the involvement of experienced creators like Ronald D. Moore and Frederick E.O. Toye, the series appears to be assembling a strong creative team. With production starting in March 2026, fans can expect more official casting announcements in the coming months, particularly for the crucial roles of Kratos and Atreus. If these rumors prove accurate, Amazon’s God of War series is shaping up to be a faithful and ambitious adaptation that could finally break the curse of disappointing video game adaptations.