Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves
  • New Games for 2026
  • GamesRadar+ Replay
  • Mario Day deals
Don't miss these
Leon frowns in the care center in Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil Resident Evil Requiem's Grace actor says Leon's actor loves RE so much that everyone in the studio brought their A-game
Alan Ritchson as 81 in War Machine
Sci-Fi Movies Alan Ritchson says Reacher was the most physically demanding role he'd ever played before signing on to War Machine
Kratos approaches Aphrodite's bedchamber in God of War 3
God of War "The God of War sex mini-games were designed by women," which is why Aphrodite's bed looks "like a labia"
A close-up of Grace talking with someone through glass in Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil Resident Evil Requiem leads let actors re-do "technically" perfect scenes if it made them happy, says Grace actor
Adam Driver as Kylo Ren in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Animated Movies Adam Driver accidentally "invented this thing that changed animation forever" as Kylo Ren: the Adam Driver bar
Alan Ritchson in War Machine
Sci-Fi Movies War Machine star Alan Ritchson says the film's most dangerous stunt was "pretty terrifying," as he ziplined over rapids
Games like God of War Ragnarok: Kratos fighting a giant monster on a mountain top.
God of War 10 Games like God of War Ragnarok you should play next
Two-headed dragon spewing fire in Sword Hero
RPGs Solo dev's Kickstarter proves there's a huge appetite for open-world RPGs inspired by early '00s classics like Gothic
A screenshot of Red Dead Redemption protagonist John Marston.
Red Dead After 16 years, Red Dead Redemption's John Marston actor completes Rockstar's epic Western, and breaks down crying
John Wick stares into the camera while wearing a suit
Games Everything announced at the PS5 State of Play February 2026
A close-up of Grace talking with someone through glass in Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil Resident Evil Requiem Grace actor might be even more scared playing Capcom's horror game than her character is living it
God of War Ragnarok
Fantasy Shows Everything we know about Amazon's God of War TV show, including the Kratos casting
Grace checks her phone on the street in Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil Resident Evil Requiem actor filmed with the lights off as Capcom tried to "make the situation" as scary as the game
Key art for God of War Sons of Sparta showing Kratos and Deimos battling a minotaur and other mythological foes with spear and shield
God of War God of War Sons of Sparta review: "Retro-style Metroidvania Kratos struggles to stand out"
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 character Henry wounded
RPGs Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is scratching my Knight of the Seven Kingdoms itch
  1. Games
  2. Action
  3. God of War

God of War mocap actor used an axe and fake dismembered arm to land Kratos role

News
By Hope Bellingham published 28 July 2022

Eric Jacobus really channeled their inner Kratos during the audition process

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

God of War Ragnarok
(Image credit: Sony)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

God of War mocap performer Eric Jacobus has uploaded the demo reel they sent to Santa Monica Studio when auditioning for the role of Kratos, and it features an axe and a fake dismembered arm. 

As pointed out by Push Square, the stuntman recently uploaded a video, originally filmed back in 2016, to their official YouTube channel, which was sent to the God of War (2018) team at Santa Monica Studio during the auditioning process for Kratos. 

If you weren’t aware, Jacobus provided the motion capture performance for the greek god whilst Christopher Judge provided Kratos’ bellowing voice. Both actors would have had to audition for their roles, though we bet that Jacobus’ probably looked a little different from Judge’s. You can see for yourself below. 

You may like
  • Ryan Hurst opposite a render of Kratos from God of War God of War TV show Kratos actor says he's "grateful to pick up the axe"
  • Kratos in God of War: Ragnarok New Kratos actor Ryan Hurst gets the "BOI" approval from God of War's Christopher Judge
  • Ryan Hurst as Opie in Sons of Anarchy God of War streaming series finds its Kratos in Ragnarok's Thor actor

According to the actor, the God of War team saw Jacobus 'Tekken IRL' video series and asked them to come and audition for the action-adventure game. To "sweeten the deal" with Santa Monica Studio, Jacobus filmed a movelist video for the character which sees the performer demonstrate a range of moves that Kratos could pull off in the game. What we didn’t expect to see, though, is Jacobus start throwing an axe around and incorporating a fake dismembered arm in the video. 

This was exactly what Santa Monica Studio wanted to see, though, as we now know that Jacobus got the job and was partly responsible for bringing Kratos to life. If you enjoyed Jacobus's performance in God of War (2018), we have some good news. As confirmed on Jacobus’ website, the stuntman has returned for the game’s sequel God of War Ragnarok - which is due to release on November 9, 2022. 

Just can’t wait to reunite with Kratos and Atreus? Take a look at our games like God of War list to ease the wait until Ragnarok. 

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
PC Gaming PS4 PS5 Platforms PlayStation
PRODUCTS
God Of War God of War: Ragnarok
Hope Bellingham
Hope Bellingham
Social Links Navigation
News Writer

After studying Film Studies and Creative Writing at university, I was lucky enough to land a job as an intern at Player Two PR where I helped to release a number of indie titles. I then got even luckier when I became a Trainee News Writer at GamesRadar+ before being promoted to a fully-fledged News Writer after a year and a half of training.  My expertise lies in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, cozy indies, and The Last of Us, but especially in the Kingdom Hearts series. I'm also known to write about the odd Korean drama for the Entertainment team every now and then.  

Read more
Ryan Hurst opposite a render of Kratos from God of War
God of War TV show Kratos actor says he's "grateful to pick up the axe"
 
 
Kratos in God of War: Ragnarok
New Kratos actor Ryan Hurst gets the "BOI" approval from God of War's Christopher Judge
 
 
Ryan Hurst as Opie in Sons of Anarchy
God of War streaming series finds its Kratos in Ragnarok's Thor actor
 
 
Ryan Hurst opposite a render of Kratos from God of War
God of War first look reveals Kratos and Atreus, but it might not be enough to silence the doubters
 
 
God of War Ragnarok
God of War fans will be "hearing about what we're doing probably late summer," Kratos actor Christopher Judge teases
 
 
Ryan Hurst's Kratos crouching near Atreus (Callum Vinson) in first look at God of War series
God of War's Ryan Hurst tells everyone "not to believe everything they see on the internet" after Kratos first look
 
 
Latest in God of War
Kratos approaches Aphrodite's bedchamber in God of War 3
"The God of War sex mini-games were designed by women," which is why Aphrodite's bed looks "like a labia"
 
 
God of War
PlayStation's allegedly making "a new franchise within the God of War universe," according to ex Sony Santa Monica dev
 
 
Atreus and Angrboda sit next to one another in a forest in God of War Ragnarok
Egyptian God of War rumors rekindled as dataminer seemingly uncovers cut Ragnarok dialogue
 
 
Kratos in God of War: Ragnarok
God of War actor Christopher Judge reiterates he has "zero involvement" with remake trilogy, teases "other projects"
 
 
God of War Ragnarok
God of War fans will be "hearing about what we're doing probably late summer," Kratos actor Christopher Judge teases
 
 
Kratos is grabbed by a cyclops in God of War: Sons of Sparta, as Deimos leaps to his aid from behind
New God of War game Sons of Sparta's early Metacritic score places it as the worst in the series
 
 
Latest in News
Steam logo from Valve
Valve says "more games are finding success" on Steam than ever, and nearly 6,000 made over $100,000 last year
 
 
Robert rides the elevator to work in Dispatch with his dog Beef, looking out of place surrounded by superheroes
Dispatch leads faced down publishers telling them single-player narrative games were "niche, or worse, dead"
 
 
Wonderer heads to the Spire in a screenshot from Slay the Spire 2's animated reveal trailer
Xbox lead thinks "we have been in a golden age for indies" since 2008, and it's "a fantastic time to be a developer" if you ignore all the smoke
 
 
Xbox - Future Owns
Xbox teases "some iconic games from the past" to be re-released in 2026 from its "game preservation team"
 
 
The cowboy cat from the desert in Mewgenics
Steam expert advises devs stick to the "Little League" section with friendslop before attempting anything like Mewgenics
 
 
Donkey Kong Bananza screenshot of Donkey Kong punching through the landscape with pieces of banana flying through the air
With Donkey Kong Bananza, Nintendo learned "it is more fun to destroy that which is beautiful"
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Steam logo from Valve
    1
    Valve peels back the curtain in rare Steam presentation: "More games are finding success" than ever, and nearly 6,000 made over $100,000 last year
  2. 2
    Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man director explains how the Netflix movie differs from the show: "Inherently, it is more cinematic in its conception"
  3. 3
    The Dispatch leads had "a mix of arrogance and stupidity" as they faced down publishers telling them single-player narrative games were "niche, or worse, dead"
  4. 4
    Xbox lead thinks "we have been in a golden age for indies" since 2008, and it's "a fantastic time to be a developer" if you ignore all the smoke: "The present is awesome"
  5. 5
    The Future Games Show returns this week - here's how to watch

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...