Clash of the Titans
God of War Ragnarok introduces the player to all manner of characters, pulled from the annals of Norse mythology and thrust in the paths of protagonists Kratos and Atreus — And while many of these figures may be relatively unknown, one father & son duo will be recognized by all: The mighty king Odin and his thunderous offspring, Thor.
As God of War Ragnarok focuses its story on the titular event, said to bring about the destruction of the gods and devastation to the planet, it figures that Odin and Thor both have a very important part to play in the game’s narrative. As such, it was vitally important that Sony Santa Monica nailed the casting for both roles — hiring actors who could portray the stoicism, strength, and utter intimidation radiating from the regal warriors.
Odin
In GoW Ragnarok, Odin is played by Maryland-born actor Richard Schiff, a man whose dramatic presence has been felt across stage and screen since the 1980s. Schiff started out his career directing off-Broadway plays in New York City, before turning his hand to acting himself. Schiff has created a colorful and highly varied body of work on both television and the big screen, having appeared in films such as Young Guns II, Malcolm X, Speed, Tank Girl, Se7en, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, and Man of Steel.
On television, Schiff is perhaps best known for his role as White House Communications Director Toby Ziegler in the award-winning political series The West Wing — a role that won him an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 2000. Schiff never gave up his love of work behind the lens, and continues to direct for stage and screen.
Schiff’s appearance as Odin in GoW Ragnarok marks his first video game performance to date.
Thor
Arguably the most famous of all of the mythological gods, the mighty God of Thunder, Thor, is presented as a near unstoppable force standing in front of Kratos and Atreus on their road to salvation. In God of War Ragnarok, Thor is portrayed by Californian actor Ryan Hurst, who has made a career out of playing powerhouses on screen, roles that are ably supported by Hurst’s lofty 6’6′ frame.
Hurst hit acting highs early, appearing in Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan and Jerry Bruckheimer’s Remember the Titans in his formative screen years. While Hurst’s career has seen him appear in major motion pictures such as The Postman, Rango, and The Ladykillers, the actor is most commonly recognized for his recurring role in biker drama Sons of Anarchy, where he portrayed the ruthless, but loyal, Harry “Opie” Winston.
More recently, Hurst can be seen as The Whisperer, Beta, in HBO’s smash series The Walking Dead.
God of War Ragnarok is available now on PlayStation platforms.
Chris Moyse
Senior Editor – Chris has been playing video games since the 1980s. Former Saturday Night Slam Master. Graduated from Galaxy High with honors. Twitter: @ChrisxMoyse
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