It seems like Amazon is looking to strengthen its lineup of live-action video game adaptations on Prime Video. Following the success of Fallout and Secret Level, the streamer has officially greenlit two seasons of Santa Monica Studio and Sony’s God of War series. Showrunner Ronald D. Moore has confirmed the news.
The series was first announced in 2022 when it was initially led by Rafe Judkins, Mark Fergus, and Hawk Ostby. Due to creative differences with Amazon, Judkins, Ostby, and Fergus exited the project in October last year.
The newly announced live-action God of War series will reportedly follow Kratos, a powerful Spartan warrior who later becomes the God of War, as he embarks on a perilous journey with his estranged son after the death of his wife.
In a recent appearance on The Sackhoff Show podcast (hosted by Katee Sackhoff), Moore revealed that Amazon has ordered two seasons of the God of War series.
“Right now I’m working on the adaptation of this video game called God of War, a big title in the gaming world that Amazon has ordered two seasons of, and they have asked me to come in. I’m literally in the writers’ room and working on that. That’s my new thing […] And I’m not a gamer, so it’s even more like, ‘Okay, I’ve never done this before.’”
The exit of Fergus, Ostby, and Judkins indicates internal disputes over the God of War series’ direction. However, Amazon’s early two-season order—before even filming the first—demonstrates its confidence in the new creative team.
Is Moore the right man to spearhead the series? He may not know much about video games, but his past work in television certainly speaks to his ability to handle a project of this scale. Moore has worked on numerous notable shows, including Outlander, For All Mankind, and the Star Trek franchise (Voyager, Deep Space Nine, and The Next Generation).
Despite this confidence, Amazon must be careful in handling the live-action adaptation of the God of War series, as its source material has one of the most dedicated and vocal fanbases in gaming. This means the upcoming adaptation from Prime Video is sure to face heavy scrutiny.
Prime Video’s confidence in God of War largely stems from how it handled Fallout and Secret Level. The former live-action project emerged as one of the best video game adaptations in recent years, with special praise directed at the performances of Ella Purnell and Walton Goggins. Meanwhile, the anthology format of Secret Level impressed most viewers, though a handful of episodes received minor criticism.
Prime Video needs a successful God of War adaptation to solidify its position in the competitive streaming landscape. The property boasts a massive, dedicated fanbase eager to see Kratos’ journey brought to life. A well-executed series would not only attract existing fans but also draw in new viewers captivated by its epic scope and compelling narrative.
Furthermore, it allows Prime Video to capitalise on the booming popularity of video game adaptations, proving its ability to handle large-scale, visually demanding projects. Stay tuned for more updates.