Christopher Judge Declines Voicing Young Kratos in God of War: Ragnarok Out of Respect for Terrence C. Carson

The story behind Christopher Judge's choice to eschew voicing a younger iteration of Kratos in God of War: Ragnarok is as respectful as it is intriguing. The seasoned actor, known for his portrayal of the Ghost of Sparta, recently opened up about his stance during a livestream event with YouTuber AbdBay and Streamily, shedding light on his reasoning and admiration for the original Kratos actor, Terrence C. Carson.

Judge, recognized for his portrayal of the iconic character, expressed his reluctance to step into the shoes of a younger Kratos, highlighting a deep reverence for Carson's work and an intention to carve his unique path with the character. "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 shared. "From the very beginning, it was about making it my own."

The actor further clarified his stance, affirming that even if the developers at Santa Monica Studio had proposed aligning his performance with Carson's portrayal, he would have declined. Emphasizing the significance of individual contributions, Judge explained his refusal to imitate or overshadow another actor's established work, stressing the importance of celebrating unique performances.

Although Judge didn't explicitly specify the role or the offer he turned down, speculation arose regarding a possible involvement in God of War Ragnarok's Valhalla DLC. The DLC features a moment where the present-day Kratos encounters an illusion of his younger self, though the younger version remains silent. This encounter hinted at a potential opportunity that Judge might have declined.

Christopher Judge took on the daunting task of embodying Kratos in the series' soft reboot in 2018, a role for which he received acclaim, even earning a nomination for his performance at The Game Awards. His decision to respectfully distance himself from mirroring the original portrayal in God of War: Ragnarok showcases his dedication to honoring the character's legacy while imprinting his unique stamp on the role.