Contents
Summary
- The Witcher season 4 teases Liam Hemsworth as Geralt, but the decision to replace Henry Cavill is controversial and risks ruining the story.
- The introduction of a multiverse aspect in season 4 deviates from the source material and undermines Geralt’s uniqueness and reputation.
- Liam Hemsworth should not be playing a different Geralt, as it would alter the character’s arc and undermine the connections built in previous seasons. The show can explain the change through simple continuity or the use of magic.
The Witcher season 4 has teased how it will introduce Liam Hemsworth as Geralt, but it makes no sense and will ruin Henry Cavill’s story. The Witcher announced Hemsworth would be replacing Cavill as Geralt of Rivia for season 4 after supposed creative differences between Cavill and The Witcher makers. The decision was a controversial one as Cavill’s Geralt is loved by audiences and the decision to switch the main character 4 seasons in is never an easy one. Many expected it to just be a clean switch with nothing said about Geralt’s change of appearance, and it is unknown whether the end of season 3 will allude to how it will happen.
Season 3, volume 1 of The Witcher, was released on Netflix and continued Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer’s journey as they fled from a variety of people trying to capture Ciri. In hiding, Ciri attempted to strengthen and control her magic with Yennefer’s guidance but struggled. The Witcher, volume 2 trailer has shown this magic will develop and implies Ciri will break the law and use fire magic. Volume 1 and the volume 2 trailer also show how Geralt and Ciri’s bond continues to deepen, which makes it even more saddening to audiences that Cavill will not be continuing as Geralt.
The Witcher Has Multiple Worlds, But Not Multiple Geralts
With Cavill’s time as Geralt coming to an end, a season 4 The Witcher tease has been revealed as to how Hemsworth will replace him, and fans have reacted badly to the tease. The Witcher season 4 revelation implies that Hemsworth will not be replacing Cavill’s Geralt directly but will be entering as a different version of Geralt. The tease implied a multiverse aspect to Geralt’s story as the recast would be explained through “multiple worlds and POVs” (via Redanian Intelligence). Using the popular Marvel tactic of having the same character played by multiple actors, using a multiverse would reduce questions in The Witcher’s world as to why Geralt suddenly looks so different.
However, a multiverse direction means season 4 will be diverting away from the source material even more. Andrzej Sapkowski’s fantasy novels of the same name have always been clear that there are multiple worlds in The Witcher universe, and this has been seen in the Netflix series when Ciri has broken the monoliths and given access to new worlds. There has never been a multiverse, though, and the titular character has always been the only Geralt to exist. Geralt is renowned in his world and, even for a Witcher, is one of a kind, so bringing in another Geralt would remove that reputation.
Liam Hemsworth Needs To Be The Same Geralt As Henry Cavill
Liam Hemsworth’s Geralt will obviously raise questions about the change in appearance both in The Witcher world and for audiences watching it, but that does not mean he should be playing a different Geralt. Three seasons of The Witcher have focused solely on Geralt and his relationships, whether with Ciri, Yennefer, or people from his past. Geralt’s journey has included plenty of dark moments, which explain his tortured character but he has also built a strong character arc as he came to care for Ciri and take on the fatherly role.
Geralt’s arc is extremely important not just for his story but for Ciri’s, as he is a massive influence in her life and affects a lot of her decisions. Hemsworth being introduced as a new Geralt not only means the actor is changing but Geralt’s entire character arc as well. Hemsworth’s Geralt will not have the same relationship with Ciri, and he will have lost the depth of character Cavill had built. A different Geralt will render seasons 1 to 3 of The Witcher pointless, as both the characters and the audience will lose all connection with Geralt.
How The Witcher Can Explain Geralt Changing From Cavill To Hemsworth
The most basic way that The Witcher can explain Geralt changing from Cavill to Hemsworth is to simply ignore it. Once hair and makeup are done, Hemsworth will look similar to Cavill, and for the story to continue smoothly, it would be easier for The Witcher and the characters to act like nothing has changed. Although this will anger fans who have loved Cavill’s Geralt, it is the most common way to move past a recast, and once season 4 is underway, it will not need to be referenced. Another way is to capitalize on the magic in The Witcher.
Season 3, volume 2 implies plenty of magic will be used in battles in The Witcher, and the fire magic is the most dangerous of them all. If Geralt is hurt by this magic, it could warrant healing that alters his appearance. As seen in season 1 of The Witcher, the mages have a lot of experience in altering people’s looks and healing them. Another way is that as Ciri transports herself, Geralt, and Yennefer to other worlds, the transportation affects Geralt’s appearance, or the conditions of the new world changes him. The Witcher needs strong reasoning behind Hemsworth’s Geralt, but they cannot introduce a new character completely without ruining the current story.
Source: Redanian Intelligence