It is by far no secret that the fantasy fandom is always on the lookout for gut-wrenching stories and mind-blowing monsters to fill their passionate minds with. Admittedly, Netflix has assuaged its audiences' hunger with multiple series, but, above all, The Witcher has won the viewers' hearts, and so has the lead actor, Henry Cavill.
Based on the novel by Andrzej Sapkpowski, the story of Cavill's Geralt of Rivia was first granted its place on the screens in 2019. Earning his money as a monster hunter, Geralt and his friend Jaskier continuously face harsh times filled with dangers and deceptions during the Middle Ages. As he crosses paths with a greedy mage, Yennefer, and finds himself as the protector of a royal young girl, Ciri, he is left to fight even greater obstacles.
Update July 5, 2023: With the release of The Witcher Season 3 Volume One, this article has been updated with more information regarding Henry Cavill's departure and what is in store for the actor.
While the storyline is captivating in itself, it has been Henry Cavill who particularly caught the fans' attention. Unsurprisingly, Cavill's announced departure from the series after being a part of the cast for three seasons came as much of a shock. Cavill and Netflix released statements that Cavill has elected to step away from production moving forward. Fans have been very outspoken about their feelings against this move, with many signing petitions. But why is the actor leaving in the first place, and why is it causing such an outcry? Let's take a closer look.
The Uncertainty
One of the most significant aspects of this sudden change that is driving fan interest and theory is the "why?" Without explanation, the announcement was dropped that Henry Cavill was leaving the show. Now fans are debating on what the real reason is for the star actor's sudden departure. The timing of the announcement, being so close to Henry Cavill's reappearance as Superman in Black Adam, led some to believe there were merely scheduling conflicts, as it was common knowledge that Henry Cavill had signed on for multiple appearances as the man of steel. Yet shortly after that, it was announced that the DCU was going in a different direction and that Superman would be recast. This meant that in just the span of two months, Cavill had departed from his two biggest roles.
Others claim that the star had creative differences with the way the show was developing as well as growing tired of the heavy production schedule, including principal photography taking place in multiple countries. While all of these are merely rumors and speculation at the time of writing, the lack of a clear and concise answer has spurred dissatisfaction into a harsh outcry.
Books vs. Series
A rather striking reason to be aware of is the connection between the storyline of the books and the Netflix series. Book lovers will know that the on-screen stories don't always align with the written words of the author. Certain changes can be made, characters can be adapted, or locations can be added or even removed. Almost everything is possible in television or movie adaptations. While producers can usually justify their modifications, fans of the story or even the actors often prefer a true depiction of the original work.
The same can be said about The Witcher's Henry Cavill. As a big fan of the original story, the actor made the public aware of his disagreements with the show's storyline. It is generally known that Cavill was and still is passionate about the fandom of The Witcher and was dedicated to putting all his effort into bringing Geralt to life. Regardless of the love for his role, stepping away from The Witcher seemed to have underlined the differences between the actor and the producer, Lauren Schmidt Hissrich.
After the bombshell of the lead actor's departure dropped, it was announced that the third season will stand in closer relation to the books. It might be an answer to Cavill's discontent as well as the fandom's ongoing uproar, yet, to many, the decision came too late. For various viewers, the third and last season starring Henry Cavill is simultaneously the final season of the series. Any planned seasons beyond that seem to be of no satisfaction to the fans; however, the producers might still be able to change the audiences' minds.
The New White Wolf
Replacing the fan-favorite Henry Cavill is no other than the Hunger Games star Liam Hemsworth. Needless to say, the Australian actor has sufficient experience in hunting and action-filled adventures. Unfortunately, by virtue of his position as Henry Cavill's replacement, Liam Hemsworth is set to be put under the microscope, fair or not. Liam Hemsworth was announced as the replacement for Henry Cavill, and despite Cavill's assurances that the franchise was in capable hands, fans made their voices heard when they immediately lashed out at Hemsworth for taking a role the audience feels rightly belongs to Cavill.
Cavill's departure brings about a change that not all of his fans are ready for. The actor has brought one of their favorite characters to life and has poured his love and passion into the portrayal of the monster hunter. The connection between Cavill and Geralt has been palpable from the very beginning, and the audience has been given a specific picture of Geralt de Rivia. Not just regarding his behavior but, literally, his physical appearance.
Liam Hemsworth's talent aside, not everyone is ready to let go of their beloved character, and not everyone is ready to accept a new face. It will be interesting to see how Liam Hemsworth handles the pressure of taking over a role after a famous star, with many others failing under the pressure, most notably Jared Leto taking on the part of The Joker after Heath Ledger. Despite all the obstacles heading his way, it will be intriguing to see what Liam Hemsworth brings to the role, with many speculating that his appearance will come after a time jump to help explain the shift in appearance for the Witcher. One way or the other, the White Wolf will be back on the screens and swinging his silver sword in true The Witcher fashion.
What Will Cavill Do Now?
With Cavill out as both Superman and The Witcher, it will be interesting to see what the actor decides to do. Cavill's knowledge of nerd culture goes beyond the boundaries of The Witcher, with Henry Cavill also being a fan of DC Comics, the tabletop game Warhammer 40,000, and has even built his own gaming PC, stating that he's also a big fan of World of Warcraft. This aspect of Henry Cavill's personality moves him beyond the typical pedestal that celebrities are thrust upon, and many look to him as simply one of them. This has made him a fan favorite among many and would make him a vital part of any franchise.
Cavill is taking his love of Warhammer 40,000 to the next level as he is signed on to produce and star in projects related to the brand for Amazon Studios. There have also been rumors about him being approached for a part in the MCU now that he is no longer tied to the world of DC. With The Witcher recently premiering Volume 1 of Cavill's final season and Volume 2 set for July 27, 2023, this will mark a turning point for the actor and the series.