Over the weekend it was announced that Aussie favourite Liam Hemsworth will replace Henry Cavill in Netflix’s The Witcher when it returns for its fourth season. As far as trade-offs go, I’m more than agreeable to this.
When he departs, Cavill will have played the protagonist Geralt of Rivia for the first three seasons but the Superman actor has decided it’s time to hang up the sword.
Despite folks initially assuming that Cavill had exited the role to return to the Superman franchise, fans now reckon there’s another reason behind it.
As reported by Buzzfeed, fans have speculated that behind-the-scenes drama involving the writers of The Witcher and their “open disdain for the books, games and fans themselves” may be the real reason.
https://twitter.com/QJinnobi/status/1586443531635159041
So the only person that fought & kept the show somewhat lore accurate and similar to books and games isn’t going to be there anymore & the news that the writers of Netflix witcher actually hate the books and games, this show is going to be a next level dumpster fire after henry.
— Adam Blase Shepard (@Soren0101) October 29, 2022
Damn. I take it this is cause he was never happy with the writing for the show and it didn’t seem like it was going to be more book accurate.
— BROWN SUGAR XOXO (@Arun_1910) October 29, 2022
henry cavill a leaving the witcher after begging netflix for the role and being the biggest fan of the franchise is making the report that the writers hate the books seem more and more plausible. they chased that man away from the series. this is sick.
— ariel 🪶 (@cursedhat) October 29, 2022
Beau DeMayo, a former producer and writer on The Witcher, seemingly confirmed this during a recent Instagram Q&A about the development of X-Men ’97.
“I’ve been on shows — namely Witcher — where some of the writers were not or actively disliked the books and games (even actively mocking the source material),” he said.
“It’s a recipe for disaster and bad morale. Fandom as a litmus test checks egos, and makes all the long nights worth it. You have to respect the work before you’re allowed to add to its legacy.”
So basically Cavill’s deep love of the source material is what led him to exit the role as he didn’t like where the writers were taking his character.
It’s just a theory so take this one with a grain of salt for now.
When the announcement was posted to the series’ official Twitter account early on Sunday morning, fans voiced their mixed feelings about the new casting.
I’m a bit baffled by this decision. I thought Henry was committed to the 7 year plan? Nothing against Liam. I’m sure he’ll do a fantastic job but I’m baffled and confused by this
— Alex Coulson Bamford (@AlexBamford3) October 29, 2022
Why do modern show writers hate their fans so much.
— Ricky Laviña (@LavinaRicky) October 29, 2022
😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/vaoYslhckb
— mingway ✨️ (@itsmingway) October 29, 2022
“I’m a bit baffled by this decision. I thought Henry was committed to the 7 year plan? Nothing against Liam. I’m sure he’ll do a fantastic job but I’m baffled and confused by this,” wrote one.
“Why do modern show writers hate their fans so much,” another chimed in.
Then, a third fan made a ~very~ DIY-looking meme about Henry Cavill’s return to the role of Superman costing him time to make more eps of The Witcher.
Messy messy!
Away from the gossip mill, Hemsworth seemed more than chuffed to be taking on the role.
“As a Witcher fan I’m over the moon about the opportunity to play Geralt of Rivia,” the 32-year-old said via IGN.
“Henry Cavill has been an incredible Geralt, and I’m honoured that he’s handing me the reins and allowing me to take up the White Wolf’s blades for the next chapter of his adventure.
Cavill also had a few words, stating via Kotaku that “my journey as Geralt of Rivia has been filled with both monsters and adventures, and alas, I will be laying down my medallion and my swords for Season 4″.
“Liam, good sir, this character has such a wonderful depth to him, enjoy diving in and seeing what you can find.”
Cavill’s return to the DC Extended Universe was confirmed with a cameo in the newly released Black Adam flick starring Dwayne Johnson.
He then took to Instagram to let fans know he was sticking with a bunch of future appearances planned as Superman.
View this post on Instagram
The third season of The Witcher and the final season for Cavill is expected to be released in mid-2023.
