Key Takeaways
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- The first official image of Ryan Hurst as Kratos in Amazons God of War series received criticism for its portrayal and costume design, with some viewers finding it less intimidating than the video game character.
- Critics accused the image of being heavily edited or potentially manipulated by AI, leading to concerns about the final products authenticity.
- Ryan Hurst, who plays Kratos, addressed the backlash on Instagram, stating that the initial image is not representative of the final product and may have undergone significant post-production work.
- The renewal for a second season of the TV adaptation has been announced, but the release date for the first season remains unknown. Hursts Instagram post suggests that the published image is a preliminary test rather than a reflection of the final product.
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Ryan Hurst, who portrays Kratos in Amazon’s live-action God of War series, has responded to fan criticism of the first official image released by Amazon Prime Video. The image featured Hurst as Kratos alongside Callum Vinson as Atreus, but some viewers expressed disappointment with the character portrayals. Critics suggested Kratos appeared less intimidating than his video game counterpart, with some calling the costume design amateurish. The image’s clean, artificial aesthetic also led to accusations of AI manipulation. Hurst addressed the backlash in an Instagram post, stating, “Don’t believe everything you see online, kids.” This message suggests the initial image is not representative of the final product. Promotional images often undergo significant post-production work, including color correction, lighting adjustments, and visual effects to establish the show’s intended tone. Hurst has also stated his willingness to integrate his performance with the established visual style of Kratos.
Criticism Swarms Over Controversial God of War Image Preliminary Test, Hurst Assures Authentic Portrayal in Second Season
Users such as Jeff Bakalar, Mikel Nino, RetroFlama, aLexBY11, Marc Normandin, Evan Von Doom, bakoon, ItsRichard, Eric J., Juan Antonio, and Bill Mudron were among those who criticized the image on social media. User THighgate11 tweeted, “Excited for the show overall but this picture seems like a spoof movie. Terrible first impression.” Colin MacLeod (ColinJMacLeod) commented that the photo looked heavily edited, to the point where it could be mistaken for AI. Josiah from Geeks + Gamers stated it resembled “a Kratos from a dollar store,” while Sevvy from the same site agreed, saying, “Yeahhhh not a great look.” Pierry Chan mocked the “beer belly” design choice, and Jeremy Griggs, founder of Geeks + Gamers, simply stated, “Well, s. This isn’t good.” Amazon MGM Studios has renewed the TV adaptation, which follows Kratos and Atreus through the Norse realms, for a second season. However, the release date for the first season has not yet been announced. Hurst’s Instagram Story, shared by uAllTr0n on GodofWarRagnarok, suggests that the published image is a preliminary test and not representative of the final product.
In Case You Missed It
In a wave of exciting gaming news, Carlos Mendoza shared in his March 2nd article that the next God of War installment will star Faye as its female protagonist, promising an action-packed fresh take on the series under Cory Barlog’s direction. Set for early 2027, this empowering shift is generating buzz among fans eager to see Sony expand the franchise Upcoming God of War to Feature Female Protagonist, Says Source. Meanwhile, Carlos also delves into another thrilling event in his latest post: ‘Game Developers Conference to Take Place from March 9 to 13; We’ll Be There’, published on the same date. Mark your calendars for this annual gathering in San Francisco and follow along as Carlos explores its sessions, activities, and exhibitors Game Developers Conference to Take Place from March 9 to 13; We’ll Be There. Lastly, if you’re a Pokémon fan with a sense of humor, Sophie Laurent’s piece ‘Pokémon Fans Mock Scalpers Over Selling Out Plush’, published yesterday on March 2nd, is a must-read. It’s an entertaining dive into the world of Pokémon plush and scalper shenanigans, filled with creative ways fans are fighting back against greedy scalpers Pokémon Fans Mock Scalpers Over Selling Out Plush.
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Ascendants of the Nine Suns |
| Brief Summary | Once betrayed and killed at the peak of his power, Ye Yunfei is reborn into his younger self—the moment his martial veins were first destroyed. With all the memories of his past life, he seizes this second chance to protect his loved ones, outmaneuver rival clans and sects, and rebuild his strength. |
| Released | November 22, 2025 |
| Genre | Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy |
| Production Companies | Xing Yi Kai Chen |
| Countries of Origin | CN |
| Actors | Ma Zhengyang, Zhang Youwu, Ye Zhiqiu, 祁欣, 李琦, 吴晛, 戈昕宇, Jiang Yingjun, Shuang Zhao, Zhang Enze |
| Director | 张德方 |
| Ratings | 8/10 (1 reviews) |
| Number of episodes | 20 |
| Number of seasons | 1 |
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Links to external sources for further reading
- God of War Series Star Ryan Hurst Fires Back at Critics After First Look Sparks Fan BacklashGod of War Series Star Ryan Hurst Fires Back at Critics After First Look Sparks Fan Backlashgeeksandgamers.com
- The Internet Reacts To The First Photo Of Amazon's God Of WarThe Internet Reacts To The First Photo Of Amazon's God Of Warign.com
- Decoding the Actor's PerspectiveDecoding the Actor's Perspectiveforbes.com