The Witcher Season 3 promises to deliver another exciting fantasy drama as much as it stirs mixed emotions regarding Henry Cavill’s imminent exit. Netflix announced in October 2022 that the Superman actor would be replaced from the start of Season 4, leaving The Witcher fandom skeptical about the show’s future without Cavill’s Geralt of Rivia. The unenthused response to his departure is a result of his perfect interpretation of the role; the actor is a big fan of the Andrzej Sapkowski books and CD Projekt Red games that inspired the series.
Henry Cavill’s exit posed a dilemma for showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, who considered continuing the show without Geralt of Rivia or replacing the character with another Witcher. As that would amount to a big stray away from the book, Hissrich settled for recasting the Geralt role. It remains to be seen how the recast will be explained in The Witcher Universe, just as Cavill’s departure has been subjected to multiple speculations.
Did Henry Cavill Exit The Witcher Because of Superman?
Playing the solitary monster hunter Geralt of Rivia is a fun project for Henry Cavill. The Clark Kent actor has been very vocal about his passion for the role, which he lobbied for upon learning a Netflix adaptation of The Witcher was underway. He was so invested in the franchise that the showrunner couldn’t justify casting another actor for the Geralt role. Given this antecedent, and his exceptional portrayal of the character, it is easy to see why viewers are curious about his resolve to leave the show. While it had been presumed he was exiting The Witcher to make himself available for a return in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU as Superman, some reports claim his exit is a result of the series’ deviation from source materials.
Henry Cavill’s cameo in Jaume Collet-Serra’s Black Adam teased the return of the renowned British actor as Superman. He confirmed this in an October 2022 Instagram post, asserting that the Black Adam cameo was a small taste of what’s to come. Two months later, the new DC Studios executive disclosed that Cavill wouldn’t play Superman in the new shared universe as the upcoming project on the superhero will focus on his early life. Cavill also confirmed this development in a statement he released in December 2022.
He Was Reportedly Unsatisfied With The Lack of Faithfulness To The Source Material
Henry Cavill’s hope to play Superman in the new DCU might have had nothing to do with his departure from The Witcher. If that’s true, then there might be some substance to the reports suggesting he left because the show was no longer faithful to the books and games that inspired it. As claimed in some quarters, the actor is so passionate about The Witcher he insists the show maintains a decent level of its source material’s originality. But then, the writers aren’t fans of the franchise and neither fancied nor honored Cavill’s desire for the show to stay true to The Witcher books and games.
The creative differences reportedly engendered discord between the writing team and the actor, inspiring his decision to leave the show. If Henry Cavill hinted at this when he announced his departure from the Netflix show, he was subtle about it. In a social media statement in late October 2022, the actor asserted that his “journey as Geralt of Rivia has been filled with both monsters and adventures…” He certainly wasn’t referring to the writing team as monsters, but reports insisting he left because of creative differences might have anyone desperate for answers believe so.
Liam Hemsworth Will Replace Henry Cavill In The Witcher Season 4
When The Witcher returns for Season 4, Liam Hemsworth will wield the swords as the White Wolf. He was tapped for the role when Netflix announced Henry Cavill’s exit. The Australian actor best known for starring as Gale Hawthorne in The Hunger Games film series is also a fan of The Witcher franchise. He reportedly auditioned for the role in 2018 and was a top contender before it was offered to Cavill. As fans await the British actor to pass on the torch to his Australian colleague, Cavill has expressed faith in Hemsworth’s takeover.
While the Australian is undeniably a fine performer, playing the solitary monster hunter is a tough test for his talent, especially in view of Henry Cavill’s acclaimed portrayal of the character. Be that as it may, Liam Hemsworth is confident in his abilities and is “over the moon about the opportunity to play Geralt of Rivia.” As he’s also a Witcher fan, his interpretation of the character might bring a fresh perspective that cements The Witcher’s position as one of the best fantasy dramas in recent history.