The saga of change and rebirth continues in Hollywood. In its most recent metamorphosis, Liam Hemsworth has been tasked with transitioning over as Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’s acclaimed fantasy series, The Witcher, in its fourth run on the streaming platform. While the fans have been crying foul since the news broke, Henry Cavill’s exit seems imminent corresponding to his transition to DCU as the franchise’s chosen Superman.
Liam Hemsworth Becomes Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher
Liam Hemsworth has now been officially declared as the new Geralt of Rivia, and although magic and metamorphosis are very much aspects of Andrzej Sapkowski’s world, a Doctor Who-inspired reincarnation is not. The characteristic traits and idiosyncracies which the audience has grown accustomed to and familiar with in the 2-season run of The Witcher with Cavill in the driver’s seat will be hard to forget after the incredible run he’s had since 2019. Henry Cavill brought Geralt alive from his very first scene at the lake and the transition was complete by the time he walked away from the Blaviken fight.
While the change might be too unsavory for some, the news about Henry Cavill’s Geralt replacement drops fast and hard at our doorsteps with no opportunity for debate or negotiation. The process has obviously been at play for the past several months and given the goodwill, lack of rumors or insider leaks, and the silent sealing of deals being currently revealed, the recasting can only be assumed to have gone over favorably. Hemsworth has released a statement sharing his excitement about the news, stating:
“As a Witcher fan, I’m over the moon about the opportunity to play Geralt of Rivia… I may have some big boots to fill, but I’m truly excited to be stepping into The Witcher world.”
Liam Hemsworth does have big shoes to fill in the aftermath of Cavill’s exit, and not only does he have to be better than his predecessor but overshadow the latter’s rendition if Netflix wishes to take the franchise forward on to a fifth season run.
Fans Show Support For Liam Hemsworth’s Casting
In the aftermath of the declaration of Liam Hemsworth replacing Henry Cavill as the new Geralt of Rivia, the world has been disturbingly fast in shifting its opinion over the outrageous recasting. Although, the more inclusive role of Cavill now transitioning over to the DCU might have something to do with pacifying the masses. As such, fans have been more moderate in their reception of Liam Hemsworth as their new Geralt actor given the original one will now have to be more inherently involved with the world-building of his comic-book cinematic universe.
It is definitely going to be a hard transition for the fans of The Witcher to bear, but given there are still immense portions of the narrative to traverse and bring to a satisfying conclusion, a recasting makes more sense than death and reboot (like the current Bond situation). Time will have to tell if Liam Hemsworth can do justice to the role.
The Witcher Seasons 1 and 2 are currently available for streaming on Netflix.
Source: Twitter
