Netflix’s The Witcher had a tumultuous year after Henry Cavill left the franchise following disputes in creative direction, and on top of that, the recasting of the role of Geralt of Rivia entirely threw the series under fire. Liam Hemsworth, as much as he has shown dedication to the project, still received backlash.
With all these controversies happening all at once, Netflix has a lot of cleaning up to do, and that involves an explanation within the show on Cavill’s exit. It looked seemingly impossible months ago, but the new leaked scene from Season 4 could be the show’s savior.
Here’s How The Witcher Can Introduce Liam Hemsworth As Geralt Of Rivia
As per a report from Redanian Intelligence, a reliable source for all things The Witcher, pre-production has commenced with filming to start in March. Actor Laurence Fishburne will join the franchise as the vampire Regis, but another mysterious cast is also intriguing fans.
In a leaked audition tape that has now been removed, Season 4 saw a young girl and a wandering storyteller called Stribog. In Andrzej Sapkowski’s The Witcher novels, this man in question would roam around towns and entertain kids with stories in exchange for sustenance.
A child named Nimue becomes his curious listener, particularly his narrative about a witcher and a sorceress. This scene sets up the opening for Season 4, as well as a great way to explain why Henry Cavill is no longer present in the story.
Another solution can be found in Fishburne’s Regis. The character is a centuries-old higher vampire whose knowledge exceeds the wisest of all. He was killed by Vilgefortz during the attack on Stygga Castle, but he was revived in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt through a vampire regeneration process similar to blood transfusion from another higher vampire.
While this specifically applies to vampires, it could yield a different result in humans. If Regis was to heal Geralt, it could have serious physical repercussions. Since the franchise has been very transparent about the deviations they have made from the source materials, they could possibly work around this to cover for the recast of Geralt.
It is also a seamless way to introduce Liam Hemsworth’s presence in the show. It would be a disservice to the fans if they abruptly brought in a new actor with no context at all.
The Witcher Executive Producer Debunks Multiverse Theory
Executive Producer Tomek Baginski has previously addressed the switching of actors in The Witcher, and it will certainly not involve multiverses. He stated during an interview with Wyborcza via Redanian Intelligence:
“At the beginning of the book, we learn that everything we’ve read so far might not have been true. There is only one reality in Sapkowski’s work, but because it is a story from the past, what we know has been filtered by various authors, historians, writers, etc.”
Baginski believes the story of The Witcher is up for interpretation. The world built by the author is absolutely flexible they can jump forwards and backward, but fans seem to have a rigid view on this.
“I believe that what has been planned for Season 4 is consistent with the books. But I might interpret it differently than someone who can’t get over the fact that Geralt’s face has changed. I really like the idea for the opening of Season 4, but whether the audience will like it, we’ll see.”
It sounds like Baginski remains unbothered by how the audience would receive Hemsworth as the new Geralt of Rivia. Well, until Season 4 arrives, fans can only rely on speculations.
