As the show’s fourth season is confirmed, news breaks of a major casting change.
With filming complete on The Witcher‘s third run, due Summer 2023, fans will doubtless be thrilled to hear that Netflix have recommissioned it.
However, the news is accompanied with a shocker of a twist: the show’s star Henry Cavill will not play Geralt of Rivia in the fourth season.
Instead, the actor has taken to social media to reveal he is “passing the torch” to Liam Hemsworth. The news was then subsequently confirmed by Netflix themselves.
While his Instagram post does not go into details, Cavil wishes Hemsworth the best and looks forward to his successor’s take on the character:
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While there’s ample room for speculation, we do not imagine this is a decision that has been made lightly. Cavill is on record as an avowed Witcher fan and he confirmed as much in interview to Graham Norton last year:
Superman
One thought is that, with renewed interest in his portrayal of Superman, there’s an unavoidable scheduling conflict. After a cameo in Black Adam, Cavil thanked fans for their continued support and confirmed he is back as Superman. He then went on to talk up the future prospects of his Man of Steel on the recent Happy Sad Confused podcast where he said:
“The character means so much to me. It’s been five years now. I never gave up hope. It’s amazing to be here now talking about it again. There is such a bright future ahead for the character. I’m so excited to tell a story with an enormously joyful Superman.”
While this is just speculation, there’s new blood leading the DC universe’s film output and Cavill’s Superman remains popular.
Liam Hemsworth
Meanwhile, in response, Liam Hemsworth has been equally effusive about both The Witcher and Henry Cavil’s work. He talks about how honoured he feels to take on the role and the big boots he has to fill:
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The younger brother of Avengers star Chris, Liam Hemsworth is best known for roles in The Hunger Games movies and Independence Day: Resurgence. He’s also an alumni of the lately cancelled soap Neighbours, the training ground for many a Australian actor.
We imagine Liam Hemsworth’s debut on The Witcher is a good eighteen months away. Season three is due in Summer 2023, with the show’s spin-off The Witcher: Blood Origin landing on December 25th.
We’ll keep you posted on The Witcher.