The Witcher news giveth and The Witcher news taketh away. It’s no doubt an incredible time for anyone who’s a fan of the games - the first Witcher is getting a remake, built from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5, and there’s also so many new titles on the horizon that I’ve lost track. No, seriously, it’s kind of a problem.
It’s a different story over in the land of TV, however. Netflix confirmed over the weekend that The Witcher will be coming back for a fourth season, which is super exciting. However, our dear Geralt of Rivia won’t have the handsome face we’re all used to. He’ll have a different handsome face, because Henry Cavill is stepping down, and being replaced by Liam Hemsworth. Understandably, many fans aren’t very happy with the news - some are even threatening to boycott the show.
Check out this awesome Witcher wood burning art in the video below.
It isn't just Cavill’s stellar performance that fans are going to miss, though. As a huge fan of the series, he cared a lot about the show and how it handled its source material, and as reported by Polygon, he rewrote one of season two’s scenes for the better. Spoilers ahead, obviously.
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When Geralt’s horse Roach died in season two, the writing staff initially wanted to make a meta joke since in the books and games, following the death of Roach, Geralt simply names his next horse the exact same thing. Knowing that later in the show, another horse would take Roach’s place, they initially had Cavill respond to the situation in a way that would make reference to this, but he wanted to do something more touching.
“Henry was so unhappy with the line,” showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich explained at the time. “Finally I said, ‘You know what, you come up with something. I trust you, you know this material so well, you know the book so well, you don’t even have to pitch it to me.’ And he came back the next day with a beautiful speech that’s at the end of Sword of Destiny when Geralt is facing death and it’s such a pitch perfect moment.”
The line in question is no doubt one that fans will remember: “Enjoy your last walk across the meadow and through the mist. Be not afraid of her for she is your friend.” We love you, Henry Cavill.
Featured Image Credit: NetflixTopics: The Witcher, Netflix, TV And Film