Christopher Judge, the fan-favorite record-holding voice actor for Kratos in 2018’s award-winning God of War reboot and its similarly critically acclaimed sequel, God of War: Ragnarok, has recently made it clear that he isn’t interested in voicing a younger version of Kratos. This decision stems from his deep respect for the character’s original voice actor, Terrence C. Carson, who voiced Kratos from 2005 to 2013. Judge’s decision highlights his dedication to preserving the integrity of the character and the work of his predecessor.
Judge expressed his sentiments during a livestream event with Streamily, where he discussed his approach to the iconic role. He mentioned that he deliberately avoided watching scenes from the original God of War trilogy to avoid affecting his portrayal of Kratos. “I never watched any of the scenes from the earlier [God of War games] because TC’s so great, and I thought it would be a disservice to try to voice match him or anything, nor did they ask for it,” Judge said. “From the very beginning, it was about making it my own.”
This approach was crucial for Judge, as he aimed to leave his mark on the character while respecting Carson’s legacy. He emphasized that he would decline if asked to mimic Carson’s portrayal. Judge put his money where his mouth is when he turned down a role requiring him to match Carson’s voice, explaining, “I love this dude. That would be such a slight.”
The topic gained more attention with the release of the surprisingly content-rich free Valhalla DLC for the God of War sequel. In a particular scene, current-day Kratos confronts an illusion of his younger self. This apparition does not speak, potentially due to Judge’s decision not to voice a younger Kratos.
It’s possible the scene initially involved dialogue but plans changed following Judge’s refusal, although it’s interesting that Judge is telling audiences about this now – he previously had one line as a younger Kratos in the 2018 entry.
Judge’s decision has been met with respect and admiration from fans and industry professionals alike. His commitment to honoring the original work of Carson and the importance of individual contribution in acting is widely appreciated. This choice is especially poignant considering the ongoing speculation about the planned remasters of the original God of War trilogy. Should these remasters come to fruition, it remains to be seen whether Carson will return to voice Kratos or if another approach will be taken.
In the broader context of the God of War series, Judge’s performance has been critically acclaimed, earning him praise and nominations for his portrayal in the soft reboot of 2018. The reboot marked a significant shift in the series, both in terms of gameplay and narrative, and Judge’s portrayal of Kratos played a key role in this transition.
As for the future of the series, Santa Monica Studio has hinted at more entries, with fans speculating about a potential storyline involving Atreus in a standalone spin-off that would ultimately lead to the next mainline installment. However, what remains clear is that the character of Kratos, whether voiced by Carson or Judge, will continue to be a pivotal and revered figure in the gaming world.
Judge’s respect for Carson’s portrayal and his desire to bring his interpretation to the role exemplify the importance of legacy and innovation in the continuation of iconic characters in video games.
Speaking of voice actors, the original voice of Snake from Metal Gear, David Hayter, is returning in the upcoming non-exclusive remake, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater.
