In recent times, The Witcher has surfaced in news this past week. Abruptly, CD Projekt Red announced one of its next projects. When collaborating with Fool’s Theory (Divinity II, Outriders), the support developer is tasked with Project Canis Major. More specifically, the title is to be a complete remake of 2007’s The Witcher with Unreal Engine 5. But, there has been sometime since we heard from the ongoing Netflix series.

As many are aware, the television series starring Henry Cavill kicked off back in 2019 which blew up popularity for the IP. Enough so that the concurrent player count on Steam following the airing of season 1 reached new heights. Additionally, there also happened to be an anime that aired as well on Netflix, ‘The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf’. Then this past December welcomed season 2 for The Witcher which resurfaced chatter on the franchise once again.

Now with Season 3 still on the way, Netflix has made an update on the production. It is revealed that Henry Cavill will not be reprising the role as Geralt of Rivia come season 4. Instead, Liam Hemsworth (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Independence Day: Resurgence) is to recast for the lead.

As a Witcher fan I’m over the moon about the opportunity to play Geralt of Rivia. 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. Henry, I’ve been a fan of yours for years and was inspired by what you brought to this beloved character. I may have some big boots to fill, but I’m truly excited to be stepping into The Witcher world.

Liam Hemsworth

“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,” Cavill gives in a statement. “In my stead, the fantastic Mr. Liam Hemsworth will be taking up the mantle of the White Wolf. As with the greatest of literary characters, I pass the torch with reverence for the time spent embodying Geralt and enthusiasm to see Liam’s take on this most fascinating and nuanced of men.

“Liam, good sir, this character has such a wonderful depth to him, enjoy diving in and seeing what you can find.” Though this reveal comes as a surprise, Hemsworth is not foreign to the role. Back in the debuting season for The Witcher, he took the role for Geralt of Rivia in episode 4 according to IMDB. But now, he will be in the spotlight as the character moving forward.

Reasons as to why Cavill is leaving the role, it is likely due to the string of news rolling out of the past week at Warner Bros. In an Instagram post, Cavill shared his return to being the Man of Steel for DC moving forward. It is assumed Warner Bros. struct a deal with Cavill which convinced him to move on from Netflix. Alongside James Gunn also overseeing future projects of the DCU, times will grow interesting for the film franchise.

Are you surprised with the outcome for Netflix’s The Witcher with Henry Cavill stepping away?

Source: Netflix