Dave Bautista is rebuilding his famously imposing physique for Kratos, just months after dramatically slimming down, and he says he has only two more months to reach the shape he wants. The 57-year-old actor has already spent three weeks back in weight training, showing off his progress online as he prepares to replace Ryan Hurst in Prime Video's live-action God of War.
His rapid return to heavy lifting has also fuelled online speculation about steroids, particularly among fans discussing his dramatic change in size. However, that remains speculation rather than fact: Bautista has not announced that he is using steroids, and there is no verified evidence establishing that performance-enhancing drugs are behind his current transformation.
Bautista Is Already Three Weeks Into His Kratos Build
Bautista recently posted a gym video showing his developing physique and made it clear that the transformation is still underway. He wrote, '3rd week in to weight training again. 2 more months to get to where I need to be. Like ridin a bike! LFG!'
The post gives a rare glimpse into just how quickly he is approaching the physical demands of Kratos, particularly after spending recent years carrying considerably less mass. His two-month target is Bautista's own stated training timeline, not a publicly announced deadline imposed on him by Amazon or Prime Video.
He Had Already Lost Around 75- to 80-lbs
The latest transformation is especially striking because Bautista had deliberately moved in the opposite direction before landing the role. Reports have put his previous weight loss at roughly 75- to 80-lbs, with the actor moving away from the enormous frame associated with his WWE career and earlier action roles.
Bautista's slimmer physique came after years of changing his training and diet, with more emphasis on activities such as boxing, cycling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu rather than maintaining maximum muscle mass. That makes his latest return to weight training less like a completely new routine and more like a familiar physical discipline he is now bringing back for a very specific role.
Ryan Hurst's Injury Changed the Kratos Plan
Bautista's compressed preparation exists because he was not originally meant to be the show's Kratos. Ryan Hurst had already been filming the series in Vancouver before suffering a torn biceps during production, an injury that required surgery and ultimately led to the role being recast.
Production had already begun in February, meaning the change came after cameras were rolling rather than before filming started. Scenes featuring Hurst as Kratos will need to be reshot with Bautista, adding another layer of pressure to an already complicated production restart.
The Steroid Claims Come From Fans, Not Bautista
The steroid angle surrounding Bautista's transformation should be treated very carefully. A Reddit discussion posted on 3 September 2026 was explicitly framed around the question of which actor was 'now back on steroids', with commenters making jokes and speculation about Bautista's changing physique.
That discussion does not establish steroid use, nor does it provide medical evidence, testing results or a statement from Bautista confirming such a claim. In other words, the online chatter is a reaction to his appearance and rapid physical change, not proof that he has used performance-enhancing drugs.
Bautista Is Chasing Kratos, Not His Old WWE Body
The goal also should not be described as simply recreating Bautista's old WWE physique. Kratos is an enormous fictional warrior, but Bautista has spent years explaining his changing approach to his body and career, making this a new preparation challenge rather than a straightforward return to his wrestling days.
His casting nevertheless makes sense from a physical and acting perspective, given his history as a professional wrestler and his roles as Drax in the Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers films. Now, with only weeks to continue building muscle before production resumes, his latest gym update suggests the transformation is already well underway.
His Two-Month Countdown Is Now Underway
Bautista's own words provide the clearest picture of the schedule: three weeks of weight training are behind him and another two months remain before he believes he will reach the required condition. Production is expected to resume in Vancouver in October, putting his preparation close to the show's return to filming.
For now, the confirmed story is straightforward: Bautista has lost substantial weight in recent years, has returned to weight training and is deliberately adding size for Kratos. The steroid claims belong firmly in the category of unverified fan speculation, while the real transformation is happening in front of the cameras and, judging by his latest post, inside the gym.
