Christopher Judge Opens Up About Why He Won't Portray Younger Kratos in God of War Ragnarok
Christopher Judge, the actor who portrayed an aged Kratos in God of War Ragnarok, shares his reasons for refusing to voice the younger version of Kratos from the classic Greek trilogy. Judge's decision sheds light on the contrast between the two versions of Kratos and the respect he holds for the original voice actor, Terrence C. Carson.
Christopher Judge's Portrayal of Kratos
Chris Judge Refused To Voice Young Kratos in Honor of TC Carson
Christopher Judge has earned high praise for his performance as an aged Kratos in the most recent God of War games, but he won’t be portraying the Ghost of Sparta’s younger self from the classic trilogy anytime soon. Before Judge stepped into the role of Kratos in 2018’s God of War, the vengeful Spartan warrior was voiced by Terrence C. Carson, also known for playing Jedi Master Mace Windu in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series and various Star Wars video games since the early 2000s.
Throughout his appearances in the original God of War games, Carson voiced Kratos at the height of his fury as he waged an increasingly destructive war against the Gods of Olympus. This is a striking contrast to Christopher Judge’s portrayal of the former Ghost of Sparta as an older and wearier outsider haunted by his old demons as he tries to build a more peaceful future with his son Atreus. The disparity between these two versions of Kratos was brought to the forefront in God of War Ragnarok’s Valhalla DLC, which saw the older Kratos come face-to-face with his past self after a grueling trek through the Viking afterlife.
The past Kratos shown at the end of God of War Ragnarok was silent during his memorable scene, and this is likely due to Christopher Judge refusing to voice him out of respect for Terrence C. Carson’s work in the original trilogy. In a brief video clip posted by YouTuber AbdBay, Judge expressed high praise for Carson’s performance and stated that he never set out to “match” him while creating his own take on Kratos. He goes on to say that he was recently contacted for a role that required him to emulate Carson’s younger Kratos, which Judge turned down because he felt it would have been disrespectful to him.
Recently, insiders have started claiming that a remaster of the first three God of War games might be in the works for the PlayStation 5, though nothing official has been confirmed yet. Many fans have been requesting such a remaster of Kratos’s classic journey through the realms of Greek myth, especially since the first two God of War games have only ever been re-released on the PlayStation 3. Meanwhile, 2010’s God of War 3 was remastered on the PlayStation 4 in 2015.
The Contrast Between Kratos Versions
The disparity between Christopher Judge’s portrayal of an older Kratos and Terrence C. Carson’s depiction of the vengeful Spartan warrior at the peak of his fury is a significant contrast. Carson’s portrayal in the original God of War games depicted Kratos at the height of his destructive war against the Gods of Olympus, while Judge’s performance captured an older and wearier Kratos, haunted by his old demons as he seeks a more peaceful future with his son Atreus.
The difference between these two iterations of Kratos was highlighted in God of War Ragnarok’s Valhalla DLC, where the older Kratos encountered his younger self after a challenging journey through the Viking afterlife. This encounter emphasized the distinct character development and transformation of Kratos, shedding light on the evolution of the iconic character across the God of War saga.
If the rumors of a remastered God of War trilogy collection are true, fans may have the opportunity to experience Terrence C. Carson’s portrayal of the classic Kratos. This version of Kratos presents a stark contrast to Christopher Judge’s portrayal, as noted by Judge himself. With the potential release of the remastered trilogy, fans who joined the series with the Norse games could explore the origins of Kratos and witness the striking differences between the two versions of the iconic character.
The Future of Kratos and God of War Projects
Christopher Judge’s decision not to voice the younger Ghost of Sparta in any future God of War projects, whether they are remasters of the previous games or new prequels, reflects his respect for Terrence C. Carson and his dedication to honoring the original portrayal of the character. This decision sheds light on Judge’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of Kratos’s character and the legacy of the original trilogy.
With the potential remaster of the first three God of War games, fans who have only experienced the more recent Norse games may have the chance to witness Terrence C. Carson’s portrayal of the classic Kratos. This could provide a deeper understanding of the character’s evolution and the significance of Christopher Judge’s distinct interpretation of the aged Kratos in the recent God of War Ragnarok.
As the future of the God of War series unfolds, the contrast between the two versions of Kratos and Christopher Judge’s decision not to voice the younger Kratos in future projects add a layer of complexity and reverence to the iconic character’s legacy. Whether fans explore the classic trilogy or await new prequels, the multifaceted portrayal of Kratos by different actors enriches the depth of the God of War universe and offers a unique journey through the realms of Greek and Norse myth.
