Team Neemopani
Liam Hemsworth’s casting as Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’s The Witcher came as somewhat of a shock for fans of the show, with many left wondering why and how he was chosen to replace star Henry Cavill. A new report reveals Hemsworth was actually considered for the role very early on.
According to Redanian Intelligence, Hemsworth was one of many actors who originally auditioned for Geralt back in 2018, when the show was still searching for its star. While it’s uncertain where he ranked among those considered, he is noted as being a favorite. When it was time to choose an actor to replace Cavill, there was no auditioning process. It is believed the producers returned to the original auditions and selected an actor from there, all while Season 3 was still filming.
It is currently uncertain when exactly Cavill made his decision to leave The Witcher, as he had previously expressed great enthusiasm for both the role and the source material on which the show is based. Recent reports suggest Cavill had considered leaving the project during Season 2’s post-production stage. Moreover, it is believed his enthusiasm and passion for Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels played into the decision, as Cavill often disagreed with the Netflix show’s producers.
“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 said. “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.”
“As a Witcher fan I’m over the moon about the opportunity to play Geralt of Rivia,” Hemsworth said. “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.”
This news follows the equally internet-breaking news that Cavill would be returning as Superman in the DCEU. There is no word if these two decisions were related, but the timing of the announcements does lend to the possibility.
