The Witcher is a popular fantasy/adventure series on Netflix starring Henry Cavill, Anya Chalotra, Freya Allan and Joey Batey. Its first season was released back in December 2019, and now, the show has been renewed for a fourth season as well with the third one set to air in the summer of 2023.
But did you know, the lead actor, Henry Cavill, who plays the character of Geralt, the deadly monster hunter in the first three seasons, was almost not chosen for the role? In fact, the Enola Holmes star was actually not even the first choice the show runners had in mind.
Henry Cavill wasn’t the first casting choice for Geralt of Rivia
When The Witcher was still in its relatively more latent stages of development, the show runners had not only turned Henry Cavill down for the role, but the British actor was not even in their A-list of contenders they were likely to give the role to.
The Justice League actor himself admitted the same as he revealed how he was told he wasn’t “the right choice” for the role. After being rejected more than once though, Cavill had left the hopes of working on the show. But miraculously enough, creator Lauren Schmidt Hissrich decided to go ahead with him after all when all the other actors auditioning for the role failed to charm her.
Cavill might have won the battle back then, but looking at the bigger picture, he’d felt more “bittersweet” than ecstatic with joy because he wasn’t their first choice to move forward with. “Yeah so once they’ve exhausted all their options they’re like ‘I guess we’ll go back to that guy,'” he said.
Nevertheless, when he finally did get the role, he played the part rather impeccably and gave the perfect voice and disposition to Geralt, thanks to his spot-on acting and respect for the source material.
Henry Cavill leaves The Witcher after 3 seasons
Cavill really went from being declined for the part to leaving the show of his own accord.
The Man of Steel star just recently announced his departure from the series, leaving fans with the heartbreaking news of not coming back as Geralt in season 4. Oh, how the turntables or whatever Michael Scott said.
Cavill informed fans about his decision via an Instagram post wherein he addressed his resignation from the role of Geralt of Rivia and earnestly passed on the title to the popular Australian actor, Liam Hemsworth.“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,” he stated. “In my stead, the fantastic Mr Liam Hemsworth will be taking up the mantle of the White Wolf.”
The Night Hunter actor further went on to congratulate Hemsworth for claiming the title of Geralt from season 4 onwards and wished him luck for the impending adventures that awaited him in the show.
The Witcher: Blood Origin is set to release on December 25, 2022.
See also: How Much Does Henry Cavill Earn For His Netflix Project The Witcher?
Source: Youtube
