The man who created Kratos is not holding back his feelings about the live-action version. David Jaffe, the original director and creator of the God of War video game franchise, has openly criticized the first official image from Prime Video’s upcoming series. In a blunt YouTube video that went viral on March 2, 2026, Jaffe called the promotional photo of Ryan Hurst as Kratos a “dumb f**king image” and said the Ghost of Sparta looks like he is “shitting in the woods.”
The controversial first-look image was released on February 27 by Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios to celebrate the start of production in Vancouver . It shows Ryan Hurst in costume as Kratos standing in a forest alongside Callum Vinson, who plays his son Atreus. While many fans rushed to social media to share their thoughts, Jaffe’s reaction stood out because of his direct connection to the franchise he built from the ground up.
The Video That Started It All
Jaffe took to his personal YouTube channel over the weekend to give his honest take on the reveal. He did not hold back. “I’m sure everybody’s trying real hard, it’s so dumb,” Jaffe said during the video . He made it clear that he was not attacking the show itself or the people making it. Instead, he focused entirely on the specific image that the streaming giant chose to release as the world’s first look at Kratos in live-action.
“Two things can be true,” Jaffe explained. “This can be a terrible image, and it is. It’s so bad in so many ways” . The game creator stressed that his criticism was only for the photo, not for the production team or the showrunner.
Jaffe Praises Showrunner Ron Moore
Despite his harsh words for the image, Jaffe made a strong point to separate the photo from the talent behind the camera. He specifically praised Ronald D. Moore, the veteran showrunner known for Battlestar Galactica and Outlander, who is leading the project.
“And Ron Moore is awesome, who is the showrunner,” Jaffe said. “This guy is a juggernaut of a talented fellow. I have absolutely no doubt it is going to be a good show” . This statement is important because it shows Jaffe trusts the creative team even if he dislikes the marketing material.
He also mentioned that he has no problem with the casting of Ryan Hurst as the iconic Spartan warrior. The issue for Jaffe is not the actor’s face or build. It is the pose and expression captured in that one specific frame.
Why the Pose Does Not Work
Jaffe broke down exactly what bothers him about the image. He focused on Kratos’ body language and facial expression. “Kratos in this pose with this expression, not the guy’s face, but this expression, he just looks stupid,” Jaffe stated . He questioned the marketing strategy behind releasing such a photo as the very first introduction to this version of the character.
“If you’re going to reveal, to most people, a brand new character that you hope is going to carry your series, for the first time, and they’ve never really seen this before, and this is the way you introduce them?” Jaffe asked during his rant .
His most memorable line came when he described what the photo reminds him of. “Could you find a picture that doesn’t look like he’s shitting in the woods? Cause that’s what the picture looks like” . The comment quickly spread across entertainment news sites and social media, with many fans agreeing with the creator’s brutal honesty.
The First Look Everyone Is Talking About
The image in question was released as part of a press announcement confirming that production had officially begun on the highly ambitious project. The photo, credited to Leah Gallo for Prime Video, shows Ryan Hurst standing in a wooded area wearing Kratos’ signature leather armor and fur mantle . His beard is long and braided, and he carries the Leviathan Axe on his back.
Beside him stands young Callum Vinson as Atreus, also dressed for travel with a bow and quiver. The pair look serious, standing in what appears to be a forest clearing. For many fans who grew up with the games, the image was their first chance to see how the characters would translate from pixels to live-action.
The series has already received a two-season order from Prime Video, showing the platform’s confidence in the property . The show is co-produced by Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios in association with PlayStation Productions and Tall Ship Productions.
An All-Star Cast Behind the Mythology
Beyond Hurst and Vinson, the show has assembled an impressive cast of well-known actors. Mandy Patinkin (The Princess Bride, Homeland) will play Odin, the All-Father of Norse mythology. Ed Skrein (Deadpool) takes on the role of Baldur, while Ólafur Darri Ólafsson (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty) portrays Thor .
The cast also includes Max Parker as Heimdall, Teresa Palmer as Sif, and Alastair Duncan returning to voice Mimir, the smartest man alive. Duncan voiced the same character in the video games, giving fans a small link to the source material. Danny Woodburn and Jeff Gulka will play the dwarf brothers Brok and Sindri .
The Story So Far
The series will follow the storyline of the 2018 God of War game and its sequel. The official logline confirms that the plot revolves around Kratos and Atreus traveling to spread the ashes of their wife and mother, Faye . During their journey, Kratos tries to teach his son how to be a better god, while Atreus tries to teach his father how to be a better human.
Frederick E.O. Toye, an Emmy-winning director known for Shōgun, The Boys, and Fallout, will direct the first two episodes . The creative team also includes several writers and producers with deep genre experience, including Naren Shankar (The Expanse) and Cory Barlog, the creative director behind the modern God of War games.
Release Information and Streaming Details
Prime Video has not yet announced a specific release date for the series. Since production just started in late February 2026, the show is likely still more than a year away from debuting. The two-season order means the streaming platform is planning for a long run.
When the show does arrive, it will stream exclusively on Prime Video worldwide. Viewers in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and India will all be able to watch the series on the same platform. As with other Prime Video originals, episodes will likely drop globally at the same time, though the release pattern (weekly episodes or full season drop) has not been confirmed.
Jaffe’s History of Speaking Out
This is not the first time David Jaffe has publicly criticized things connected to his famous creation. Just weeks before his comments about the TV show, Jaffe also slammed a new spin-off game called God of War: Sons of Sparta for the PS5. He called that game “boring and generic” and urged fans to skip it to send a message to Sony .
In that case, Jaffe criticized the game’s concept and positioning within the franchise, not its technical performance. He argued that the spin-off did not respect the brand that built a multi-billion dollar franchise. His willingness to speak honestly about both games and TV projects shows that he remains deeply protective of the world he created, even if he no longer directly controls it.
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Fans React to the Creator’s Comments
The online reaction to Jaffe’s video has been mixed but largely supportive. Many fans on social media agree that the first look image feels flat and does not capture the intensity of Kratos. Others appreciate that Jaffe took time to praise the showrunner and cast while criticizing the photo, showing that his issues are specific and not just general negativity.
Some fans have pointed out that first-look images are often not representative of the final product. They argue that a single frame taken on a phone during a busy production day might not show the full picture. However, others side with Jaffe, saying that a studio should put its best foot forward when revealing a major franchise adaptation for the first time.
Ryan Hurst, best known for his roles in Sons of Anarchy and The Walking Dead, has not directly responded to Jaffe’s comments. However, the actor previously addressed online criticism in general by telling fans not to believe everything they see on the internet .
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Stay connected to VvipTimes for the latest updates on this developing story and all your favorite entertainment news, as we continue tracking the journey of Kratos from the PlayStation console to your screens.
