‘Yes he’s still Geralt’: Netflix refuses to let go of Henry Cavill in The Witcher
We know it's hard to let go, but sometimes you have to cut the umbilical and head out into the unknown on your own. This is the mantra of Netflix's The Witcher, as Henry Cavill is destined to bow out as Geralt of Rivia and the end of Season 3.
The Witcher plans to power ahead into at least Season 4 and 5 with The Hunger Games' Liam Hemsworth taking over as Geralt, but still, it doesn't make Cavill's departure any easier. While some of us are still in mourning (including the cast), it seems even Netflix itself can't come to terms with the impending loss.
Netflix won't let go of Henry Cavill in The Witcher
The first run of Season 3's episodes has just dropped, and despite being Cavill's swansong, it's being dragged by fans amidst calls for the writers to step down. Although Netflix is stuck between a rock and a hard place, it's doing its best to celebrate Cavill's final hurrah.
The phrase "Yes, he's still Geralt in Season 3" has been projected onto landmarks like Edinburgh Castle and the White Cliffs of Dover. Even though it's a good way to remind viewers Cavill is still here for now, it's hardly giving Hemsworth a glowing endorsement before his debut. Might as well write "Here comes the other guy."
We're not sure who authorised this at the Netflix marketing department, but they've faced a royal roasting online. One critic grumbled, "The fact that they have to remind people that he's still on it just so they will tune in absolutely says it all about where this series is heading. What will they do next season?"
Another added, "If you listened to Henry Cavill from day one, you wouldn't need to beg people to watch season 3." As for Hemsworth, a third said, "Way to absolutely disrespect Liam Hemsworth," while a fourth concluded, "Why post this? So odd. Definitely going to give Liam a chance regardless."
What happened to The Witcher?
Click to enlargeThe writing is on the wall (or the White Cliffs) when it comes to Hemsworth donning the white wig as Geralt of Rivia. We'll likely never get to the bottom of what really happened, but the rumour mill went into overdrive that The Witcher writers mocked Andrzej Sapkowski's source material.
Looking at what happened to Game of Thrones when it didn't have the books to go off, The Witcher has similarly been slammed for being nothing like Sapkowski's work. It's a complaint that Cavill himself seemingly had, with the star being something of a walking Witcherverse encyclopedia.
Cavill apparently tried to leave in Season 2, and while showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich has denied behind-the-scenes drama, the pieces fit. Despite the backlash, plans for Season 5 with Hemsworth are moving forward. With rumbles of boycotts, we don't envy the Netflix marketing department ahead of Season 4.