In 2019, Netflix released the long-awaited adaptation of Andrzej Sapkpowski’s ‘Witcher stories. Following Geralt of Rivia, The Witcher sees a long span of adventure that encompasses a romantic affair with Yennifer, a child he was destined to have in Ciri, and all the monsters one can handle.
Playing Geralt of Rivia is Henry Cavill; until recently, that is. After the third season, the role of Geralt will be passed to another actor, with Henry Cavill and Netflix releasing statements that Cavill has elected to step away from the production moving forward. Fans have been very outspoken about their feelings against this move, with many signing petitions. Here we are going to analyze the reasons behind this fan outcry and dive into the details of this harsh reality.
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The Uncertainty
Netflix
One of the most significant aspects of this sudden change that is driving fan interest and theory is the “why?” Without explanation, the announcement was dropped that Henry Cavill was leaving the show. Now fans are debating on what the real reason is for the star actor’s sudden departure.
The timing of the announcement, being so close to Henry Cavill’s reappearance as Superman in Black Adam, led some to believe there were merely scheduling conflicts, as it was common knowledge that Henry Cavill had signed on for multiple appearances as the man of steel. While the DCU’s future was uncertain, there appears to be a clearer picture, one that heavily involves Henry Cavill. Others claim that the star had creative differences with the way the show was developing as well as growing tired of the heavy production schedule, including principal photography taking place in multiple countries. While all of these are merely rumors and speculation at the time of writing, the lack of a clear and concise answer has spurred dissatisfaction into a harsh outcry.
Henry Cavill’s Passion
Fans were also very upset to see Henry Cavill leave, as the actor has made it no secret that he is an avid fan of the franchise. The actor has stated that in his excitement to take on the role he had played through ‘The Witcher III: The Wild Hunt’ as well as reading Sapkowski’s literary works. This would lead many to respect Henry Cavill’s depiction of the character, recognizing that Cavill wasn’t taking on the role for the money alone, but because he was genuinely attracted to the story.
Cavill’s knowledge of nerd culture goes beyond the boundaries of ‘The Witcher’ with Henry Cavill also being a fan of DC Comics, the tabletop game ‘Warhammer 40,000’, and has even built his own gaming PC, stating that he’s also a big fan of World of Warcraft. This aspect of Henry Cavill’s personality moves him beyond the typical pedestal that celebrities are thrust upon, and many look to him as simply one of them. Another nerd that they can enjoy their favorite video games and related adaptations with. It just so happens that he’s an exceptional actor who gets to live out Geralt of Rivia’s epic adventures against Kikimora’s, Striga’s, and Leshy’s alike.
The Replacement
Roku/Netflix
Unfortunately, by virtue of his position as Henry Cavill’s replacement, Liam Hemsworth is set to be put under the microscope, fair or not. Liam Hemsworth was announced as the replacement for Henry Cavill, and despite Cavill’s assurances that the franchise was in capable hands, fans made their voices heard when they immediately lashed out at Hemsworth for taking a role the audience feels rightly belongs to Cavill. There have even been some who claimed that they would rather wait an extended period for Cavill to return to the role than for Liam Hemsworth to take on the mantle of Geralt of Rivia.
To Liam Hemsworth’s credit, this isn’t the first time that the star has taken part in a major franchise. First coming to prominence, Liam Hemsworth performed as Gale in the Hunger Games franchise, another divisive role, with many fans being split between him and Josh Hutcherson’s Peeta Mellark. Liam Hemsworth is often overshadowed by his older brother, Chris Hemsworth, known for his work as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While Liam Hemsworth may be looking for a chance to truly shine as the main character, many fans have lashed out at the star, with some feeling he is simply hopping onto a significant project after Henry Cavill performed admirably for three seasons.
It will be interesting to see how Liam Hemsworth handles the pressure of taking over a role after a famous star, with many others failing under the pressure, most notably Jared Leto taking on the part of The Joker after Heath Ledger. Despite all the obstacles heading his way, it will be intriguing to see what Liam Hemsworth brings to the role, with many speculating that his appearance will come after a time jump to help explain the shift in appearance for the Witcher.
