Olivier Richters Wants to Play Tyr in Prime Video's God of War Series

Olivier Richters has made no secret of his enthusiasm for stepping into the world of God of War, but the actor now has a specific destination in mind: Tyr. Richters, who plays Zangief in the new Street Fighter movie, has said he would love the opportunity to portray the Norse god in Prime Video's live-action God of War series.

It is a role that makes practical sense as well as creative sense for Richters. Standing 7 feet 2 inches tall, or 2.18 meters, and weighing more than 350 pounds, he brings a genuinely imposing screen presence. That physical scale helped make him a natural fit for the towering Zangief, and Richters believes it could be particularly effective for Tyr, one of the most physically immense figures encountered in the Norse-era God of War games.

Richters had previously pursued the lead role of Kratos. He said he auditioned for the part, progressed through two callbacks, and ultimately got far enough into the process to feel that the possibility was real. The role eventually went to Dave Bautista, who joined the project after Ryan Hurst had to leave following a serious bicep injury sustained while filming a stunt for the series.

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Rather than frame the outcome as a disappointment, Richters spoke positively about Bautista's selection. At the same time, he acknowledged that his own exceptional height could make Kratos a complicated character to cast. Kratos is famously formidable, but he still needs to inhabit scenes alongside allies, enemies, and family members without every composition becoming dominated by an enormous height disparity.

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"If I'm really honest, I think there's one character who suits me better, and that's Tyr," Richters said. "I would love to play him."

Why Tyr could be a natural fit

Tyr is one of the more intriguing potential additions to a live-action interpretation of the modern God of War saga. The character is central to the franchise's Norse mythology, though his importance is not simply a matter of brute strength. In the games, Tyr is associated with diplomacy, travel, knowledge, and the hope that different realms and cultures might find alternatives to endless cycles of vengeance.

That gives the part a range that goes beyond casting the largest available performer. A successful Tyr would need to project authority and mythic scale, certainly, but also intelligence, patience, sorrow, and an ability to make audiences believe that this god sees a better path than the violence defining much of the world around him.

Richters' stature would immediately distinguish Tyr from other characters, potentially allowing the production to realize the character's enormous presence with less reliance on visual trickery. Yet the actor's own comments suggest he understands that the appeal is not merely being a physically convincing giant. He has described Tyr as the character who best matches him, which implies an interest in the role's broader dramatic potential.

There is no confirmation that Tyr will appear in the first season of the series, the second season, or at all. Richters himself said he does not know when the character might be introduced. Still, he has made his interest known through his representation, with his agent informing the production that he wants the chance to play Tyr.

That is an understandable ambition given the structure of the source material. The Norse chapters of God of War are populated by gods and monsters whose identities are closely tied to their physicality, but the characters are also defined by performances that turn mythological archetypes into emotionally complicated people. Tyr, in particular, would ask an actor to balance the visual impact of a giant with a more reflective, unconventional kind of power.

From a Kratos audition to a clearer target

Richters first publicly addressed his interest in the adaptation in February, when he shared images of himself in Kratos cosplay. He was candid then about the challenges attached to playing the Spartan warrior. At his real-world height, he noted, he would tower over nearly every other character, potentially making him too large for the role.

His preferred alternative was Tyr. That preference has remained consistent, and his more recent comments make clear that it is not a casual suggestion from fans. Richters actively auditioned for Kratos, reached the callback stage twice, and has since pursued Tyr as the role he feels would be closest to perfect for him.

For a production at this scale, casting decisions will depend on far more than resemblance or physical dimensions. The series will need performers capable of carrying major dramatic arcs, sustaining action-heavy work, and fitting the chemistry of a large ensemble. It will also need to decide how closely it wants to follow the chronology and character introductions of the games.

That uncertainty is especially important with Tyr. The franchise's story has room for revelations, shifting perspectives, and characters who cannot be reduced to their first impression. Any live-action version will have to decide what information to reveal, when to introduce key figures, and how much it wants to preserve surprises for viewers familiar with the games.

Richters is therefore not announcing a casting deal. At present, he is a performer publicly expressing interest in a role and explaining why he believes it suits him. But because he was already considered for Kratos, his name may be one to watch if the show moves toward Tyr's introduction.

Richters is all-in on Zangief, too

While the future of his involvement with God of War remains undecided, Richters is currently enjoying a major moment as Zangief in the Street Fighter movie. The Russian wrestler is one of Capcom's most recognizable fighting game characters: a powerhouse built around command grabs, spinning attacks, and a personality as outsized as his frame.

Richters is not treating the part as something that ends when filming does. He has begun training in Street Fighter 6 with experienced players and has set himself a particularly entertaining goal: he wants to become one of the best Zangief players around.

"I'm really dedicated to becoming one of the best Zangiefs out there," Richters said. "I'm not there yet, but I want to enter a tournament one time as the real Zangief playing Zangief."

He has already connected with a professional Zangief player and said they intend to train together. Richters' stated hope is to become the "ultimate Zangief" if a second Street Fighter movie happens, combining the demands of portraying the character on screen with an authentic understanding of how he functions in competitive play.

It is an unusual but welcome goal in a genre where actors do not always have a deep relationship with the games behind their roles. Zangief remains a beloved specialist character in the fighting game community, rewarding players who can make sharp reads, manage intimidating close-range pressure, and remain composed when a match turns chaotic. Learning him seriously is no small undertaking, even for someone who looks exceptionally convincing in the costume.

A major tournament appearance would naturally draw attention, whether it happens at Evo or another competitive event. Richters has not announced an event entry or a timetable, so that prospect remains an aspiration rather than a scheduled appearance. Still, the idea of the movie's Zangief sitting down in bracket play as Zangief is exactly the sort of crossover moment fighting game fans tend to embrace.

A potential future among the gods

For now, Richters has two distinctly different ambitions tied to iconic game characters. One is immediate: improve at Street Fighter 6 and deepen his connection to Zangief beyond the film set. The other is a possible future opportunity: bring Tyr to life in Prime Video's God of War adaptation.

His case for Tyr is easy to understand. The character's scale, presence, and mythological identity line up unusually well with Richters' natural physicality, while the role could also offer a more layered performance than a simple giant archetype. Whether that opportunity arrives will depend on the series' plans, its timeline, and the eventual casting process.

Until then, Richters has put his interest plainly on the record. He may have come close to wielding the Blades of Chaos as Kratos, but he sees Tyr as the role that truly fits--and he is ready if the call comes.