The voice of Kratos from the last two God of War games, Christopher Judge, recently spoke about not wanting to voice the younger version of the character out of respect to the original actor. Read on to learn more.
God of War Norse Kratos and Greek Kratos
Christopher Judge Wishes to Honor Terrence C. Carson’s Performance
Christopher Judge, the voice of Kratos from the Norse mythology God of War games released in 2018 and 2022 respectively, recently sat down in a live interview streamed on Streamily, clipped by God of War content creator AbdBay. From the clip, Judge revealed that he purposely chooses not to perform as the younger Greek version voiced by Terrence C. Carson from the previous titles.
He was asked about his preparations for the character and if he tried to emulate Carson’s performance, and in response said, “I never watched any of the scenes from the earlier ones because TC[Terrence Carson] is so great, and I thought it would be a disservice to try to voice match him or anything, and nor did they [Santa Monica Studios, developers of God of War] ask for me [to do so] from the very beginning.”
He continues by praising Carson as “extraordinary,” and that his reverence for Carson’s performance wouldn’t dare allow himself to replace or replicate any of his work, even if asked by Santa Monica Studios. Finally, he reveals that he was “offered something not too long ago,” in which he had refused, since he was asked to “somewhat match the voice of the [younger Greek version of the] character, and I said absolutely not.”
“I love this dude. You know how often we are not celebrated for what we as individuals bring to stuff, and that’s across the board, no matter what you do. I just think it’s inherently wrong to try and commandeer something that someone else has already established. That would be such a slight to him, and a slight to me.”
Why Was Judge Asked to Voice Young Kratos?
Those who have played the recently released Valhalla DLC for God of War Ragnarok might have a clue as to what Judge briefly mentions of being asked to match the young Greek Kratos.
Spoilers for God of War Ragnarok Valhalla DLC
In the DLC, while in a bout of self-reflection, Kratos comes face to face with his younger self sat upon a throne. Throughout the entire scene, his younger self is completely silent and unmoving, only staring daggers onto the old and worn God of War. This could very well have been the scene that Judge hinted at, where he might have been asked if he could voice younger Greek Kratos, to which he refused.
Other than the Valhalla DLC, something else has been swirling around in the God of War community as of late, and that’s rumors of a remake of the original trilogy. This could also have been another offer that Judge refused to partake in, as this would be a complete replacement of Carson’s work, and not just an imitation for a brief part in the recent games.
Sources:
Chris Judge Refused To Voice Young Kratos in Honor of TC Carson
