God of War: the movie
by Ross Miller 
{ Jul 27th 2005 at 9:00PM }
Before I go on, let's get one thing clear: Uwe Boll has nothing to do with this movie. Okay, that said,
Universal Studios has snagged the rights to make a movie based on the Greek-themed blood-soaked game God of War.
As 1up reports, the two producers have very disparate track records: one has produced Twelve Monkeys, Three Kings, and
the newest Batman; the other has done Barbershop 2. But still, it's promising.
No director or star signed yet, but I agree with many of the 1up members on feedback: Vin Diesel could pull off Kratos
(he looks the part and he can act as an uncaring bastard), and I also want to know if the threesome minigame will be
included in the movie. Then again, I also would like to see them try to make a PG-13 movie out of this, so I'm
conflicted as to which direction would amuse me more. Check out 1up.com for more, as well as a very colorful (and
reassuring) comment by the game's director, David Jaffe.
[via 1up]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
theCurse @ Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM
Considering that this game's purported purpose is to blend the cinema of film and the immersion of games, I am left wondering why a film version is in any way necessary or desireable. Obviously, money is a consideration (though not for me), but other than monetary compensation, what do the developers have to gain from this development?
l0tus @ Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM
...a pg-13 'god of war?' are you retarded?
larryh @ Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM
speaking of the threesome minigame, how did it get looked over while GTA:SA is taking crap for their secret minigame?
Christopher7xii @ Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM
Same reason why GTA:SA wasn't Adult Only before. The sex was off screen.
Pete @ Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM
Of The Following, Who would you recommend as:
Kratos?
Vin Diesel (Fast & Furious, XXX)
Djimon Hounsou (Amistad, Gladiator)
Michael Jai White (Spawn, Exit Wounds)
Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Alien: Ressurection)
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (Scorpion King, Walking Tall)
Earl "DMX" Simmons (Exit Wounds, Never Die Alone)
Athena?
Julie Christie (Troy, Harry Potter)
Diane Kruger (Troy, Wicker Park)
Ares?
Brian Cox (Troy, X2)
Sean Connery (Goldfinger, Entrapment)
Liam Neeson (Batman Begins, Star Wars EP1)
(Someone add to these lists if they see fit)
electrobrain @ Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM
Vin Diesel is a poor man's "The Rock." Walking Tall says it all. Maybe the best movie since Lebowski.
Christopher7xii @ Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM
Vin Diesel is way better than rock. Watch A Man Apart, Pitch Black, or Knockaround Guys. Any of those three has way more anger/bloodlust in them then anything the rock has done. Anger obviously is key to this role, since basically you have to hate everything and anyone.
Don't know why you're mentioning black actors. I mean, that's like saying Danny DeVito could play the role. There is a certain way the main character is to look, and you shouldn't contradict it.
Althena, I could very easily see the chick that did Galadriel(The Lady of the Wood) from LotR playing the part. She has a semi-ethereal feel to her always. Just please, god, do not cast a Katie Holmes type for the role. If I see Paris Hilton cast as a god, I'll throw myself off of Mt. Olympus.
Domino @ Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM
BOOO!!!!!
Peter Anderson @ Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM
Why would you ever want this to be a PG-13 film? That would not only stray from the over-the-top brutality of the game, but it would simply produce yet another lame-ass PG-13 action film with a generic rock/techno soundtrack. If the reason is your age, just score a fake ID and you'll be all set!
Steven @ Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM
Have you people lost your minds?
Show me one movie where Vin Diesel or the Rock have actually acted and didn't stink. The Pacifier? hah
Get some real actors.
Steven @ Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM
"Don't know why you're mentioning black actors."
Oh, Hollywood would find a way to do it. Just look at how they destroyed the Honeymooners.
Ross Miller @ Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM
I thought about Ron Perlman, but his disposition is always just too nice. Vin Diesel and the Rock both have that "I make horrible movies so I'm angry grr" face to them. And as for Kratos being black or white, you know, I think one could pull it off either way. He's got a pretty dark tan under that ash-makeup he always wears; I wouldn't mind a black Kratos just so long as he did a good job.
And as for Ares, I don't know why I would want to see in that role. Liam Neeson to me always does more of the subtle aggresive roles, if that, and Brian Cox/Sean Connery are probably far too out of shape to even resemble the God of War. But then again, I have no suggestions myself.
Oh, and to clarify the PG-13 comment: I just think it would be funny for the studio to try and do that (to appeal to the 'kiddie' video game market, of course). It would be like watching Sex and the City on TBS - not so fun, to be honest.
dan @ Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM
For Ares, you've got the wrong guy from Troy.
It'd have to be Brendan Gleeson (Menelaus). He played that role of crazy, bloodthirsty old fucker who's just too damn big to kill right down to a T.
Did a fine job of it in Gangs of New York, too.
yo yo mama @ Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM
Kratos should be played by Pee Wee Herman
Christopher7xii @ Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM
Paul Reubens? Screw the fact that he masturbated in public. Who hasn't done that. Has he even been in movies since Buffy the Vampire Slayer / DUNSTON CHECKS IN?
And I dunno, I think Vin Diesel personifies the big bald bad ass. Not a lot of acting would have to be done as the role of Kratos. All I know is during the credits they'd have to show the Penny-Arcade comic of him in anger management classes. Fucking riot.
Domino @ Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM
Vin diesel is black?
He is not built enough for the role.
Christopher7xii @ Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM
I was refering to the BLACK actors listed, not Vin.
Michael Jai White (Spawn, Exit Wounds)
Earl "DMX" Simmons (Exit Wounds, Never Die Alone)
I can't believe someone actually said DMX...
Spartacus @ Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM
Speaking of Troy, anyone remember that friggin' monster that Achilles fought at the beginning of the movie? THERE's a Kratos for ya!
Pete @ Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM
(WARNING: POSSIBLE TEASER IN COMMENT)
In defense of myself, the actors i chose were all mentioned on the source site for this article. As for the race issue, Kratos has a bit of a tan to him before the cremated skin was affixed to him. I think the guy from Amistad is too dark, but he could play off the bloodthirsty role and is a great actor. DMX has the right look, but not the right act for it. Vin Diesel sounds too easy for the job, fanboys might talk Jeffe out of it. The Rock, although some may disagree, IMHO could pull off the Kratos role, got the physique, the general skin color of Original Kratos, the anger aspect. They just gotta dirty him up a bit, because he needs that long beard.
As for saying a black actor would screw up the role, I can't help but see flaw in that. If the case is race, then only an actor of Spartan dissent can do Kratos. So, please, as I said, please suggest someone else for the role if you disagree.
On another note, I think Menalaus from Troy would make a great Ares, but I think Agamemnon has the voice and "It's easy to really hate me" aspect to him (Agamemnon from Troy, Stryker from X2, The Director from Manhunt). If done right, this can turn out to be a great "R RATED" movie. They can't possibly pull a PG-13 without being accused of schitzophrenia. The game was rated mature and they tried hard to make it as mature as possible, so why would they want to appeal to the kid in the movie?
I sure hope that Jaffe is going to be very involved with this, because I'm sure that amongst all the actors listed, he will pick no one from that list and get somebody no one knows for the role and blow it away "Passion Of The Christ-Style" (Having no attatchment to the lead actor as he is not too Hollywood and big-headed for the role, in a way like Brad Pitt did Troy).
kim @ Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM
Kratos should look like he does in the game. Get Vin Diesel, tell him to bulk up about 30 pounds, throw facial gear on him and cgi his skin and height. Or get Dolph lundgren who at least has the body. Or had it. Brendan Gleeson should never play a burly viking character again and liam neeson is boring and pretentious.
ant @ Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM
I think that all of you that say a black guy couldnt play Kratos can go to hell. I would say the only thing that is in the way of a black actor taking the lead role is the fact that Kratos was so pale. If anyone should get the part, it should be Vin Diesel. If you really need proof, go rent The Chronicles of Riddick and tell me if you think he couldnt fit the role.
david @ Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM
now look i have looked at all the comeents and i dont agree with having ne black actors, especially dmx, not bulky,no acting skills and people would not c him as beign kratos.But i o agree with Vin diesel as, if u have seen in Chronicles of Riddick he was as bulky as hell, and make him train for a copule months and put on like 40 pounds of muscle and there, the acting,the bulkiness,the angry personality BAM! KRATOS!, Dave i hope u do a good job on this one as u did on the game, cuz i am probaly the biggest fan of GOd of war and i hope the movie is ot PG-13 as the game was ment for 17+ so u know R-rated movie would work or even x21 if they do the threesome. so u know good luck DAVE
Metze22 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM
You are all missing one more person who would be perfect for the role of Katros
Michael Clark Duncan (The Green Mile, Daredevil)
He would be the best person i think.
ike moses @ Dec 18th 2005 10:08PM
Kratos was voiced by a black actor, T.C. Carson of Living Single fame. and in terms of the physical, Kratos wasn't exactly designed with pronounced caucasoid features. i don't know who i'd recommend to act in it though, i'm sure making a movie out of the game is a bad idea.