What's Next for God of War? Christopher Judge Teases Late Summer Reveal for Santa Monica Studio's Project

The voice of Kratos has spoken, and he’s given fans a timeline for the next great mystery in the Nine Realms. At a recent Fan Expo in Vancouver, Christopher Judge—the iconic voice behind the Ghost of Sparta in 2018’s God of War and 2022’s Ragnarök—offered a tantalizing clue about the future. "You'll be hearing about what we're doing probably late summer," he told the audience, as captured by streamer Fuzhpuzy.

This tease arrives at a critical juncture. It has been over three years since God of War: Ragnarök concluded the Norse saga, and the recent cancellation of a live-service multiplayer spin-off in early 2025 has left the franchise’s path forward shrouded in mist. Judge’s comments cut through the uncertainty, confirming that Santa Monica Studio is deep in development on something new. The central question now isn’t if we’re getting a new chapter, but what it will be—and what Judge’s pivotal involvement reveals about its direction.

The Tease: Christopher Judge's "Late Summer" Timeline

The quote is deliberately specific. Judge didn’t say "maybe next year" or "soon"; he pointed to "late summer," implying a coordinated announcement is on Santa Monica Studio’s internal calendar. For a studio known for its meticulous, years-long marketing cycles, this suggests we are approaching the beginning of a new reveal phase.

Crucially, Judge was quick to clarify what he is not working on. He confirmed he has no involvement in the recently announced God of War Trilogy Remake, a project that will see the original voice of Kratos, TC Carson, return to re-record his lines. According to Judge, that remake is in early development and will feature new technology, a revamped combat system, and additional content. His tease, therefore, is exclusively about a separate, forward-looking project—the studio’s next major original title.

Untangling the God of War Universe: What We Know Is Not Next

To understand what Judge is hinting at, it’s essential to separate the known threads of the God of War universe. Currently, three distinct projects are in the pipeline, none of which appear to be the subject of Judge’s tease.

First is the God of War Trilogy Remake, a ground-up modernization of the original Greek saga games. Second is the now-canceled live-service multiplayer title, which was in development at Bluepoint Games before being shelved. Third is the separate Amazon Prime Video live-action series, which has cast Ryan Hurst (Ragnarök’s Thor) as Kratos and Callum Vinson as Atreus.

Judge’s involvement in a Santa Monica Studio project points to something distinct from all these: the next core, narrative-driven video game entry in the franchise. This is the main event, the successor to Ragnarök.

Piecing Together Santa Monica Studio's Next Saga

All evidence points to this project being the next major game helmed by creative director Cory Barlog, who returned to a hands-on leadership role following Ragnarök’s development. A key report from 2023 indicated that while this project is not a completely new intellectual property, it "might feel like one." This cryptic description has fueled the most compelling fan speculation: that the series is preparing to leave the frozen shores of Midgard for an entirely new pantheon.

The prevailing rumor, supported by years of Easter eggs and developer hints, suggests a shift to Ancient Egyptian mythology. This would follow the established formula of exploring a new land and its gods while allowing for a profound evolution of themes, combat, and world design. A potential release window has been whispered for 2027. If accurate, a formal announcement in late summer 2026 would align perfectly with a two-year reveal-to-release marketing cycle, similar to past titles.

The Significance of Christopher Judge's Involvement

Judge’s confirmed participation is the most critical piece of this puzzle. It strongly implies that Kratos will remain our protagonist. This immediately narrows the field of possibilities: we are likely looking at a direct sequel to Ragnarök or a new story continuing Kratos’s journey.

The question becomes: how does Kratos, now a god trying to be a better father and a reluctant ruler, fit into a new mythology? The narrative framework established in the Norse games provides a perfect vehicle. Having rebuilt the Nine Realms, Kratos and Atreus could be drawn to a distant land—perhaps following a threat, a call for help, or Atreus’s pursuit of more lost giants. This allows the "feels like a new IP" description to shine: a familiar character navigating a utterly unfamiliar world with completely new rules, enemies, and divine conflicts.

Judge’s return guarantees narrative continuity and emotional weight. His performance defined Kratos’s redemption arc; his continued involvement suggests this arc is far from over. Whether he is guiding a new protectorate, confronting the sins of other pantheons, or mentoring a now-teenage Atreus in a dangerous new world, his presence anchors the project to the soul of the modern series.

The stage is set for a late summer revelation. Christopher Judge’s tease, the separation from other known projects, and the persistent rumors of a mythological shift under Cory Barlog’s direction are converging. The upcoming announcement will be a pivotal moment, defining the next decade for one of gaming’s most iconic characters. It will bridge the profound legacy of Kratos’s past with the thrilling uncertainty of a future waiting to be written—or carved—into history. All eyes now turn to late summer, awaiting the official word that will transform these compelling clues into a confirmed destiny.

Tags: God of War, Santa Monica Studio, Christopher Judge, Video Game News, Cory Barlog