Fans of Netflix show The Witcher have threatened to boycott its next series after it was confirmed the lead actor is to be replaced. British actor Henry Cavill, 39, played white-haired monster hunter Geralt of Rivia for the hit fantasy show’s first two seasons, and it has been confirmed its upcoming third season will be his last in the role.
Cavill took to Instagram last week to officially announce he is to reprise his role as Superman in future DC projects, following a cameo appearance in Black Adam, which stars Dwayne Johnson as the titular antihero. Within days of his announcement, it was confirmed he would not be returning to The Witcher and will be replaced by Australian actor Liam Hemsworth, 32, for the show’s fourth season.
Confirming the news on Instagram, Cavill said: “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. 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.”
Following the announcement, Hemsworth posted on Instagram saying he is “over the moon” to be given the opportunity and “honoured” to be handed the reins from Cavill. Though neither Netflix or Cavill have confirmed the reason for his departure, fans have speculated he stepped down because his vision for the show did not align with the writers’ plans and the shows differences to its source material, of which Cavill is known to be a fan.
Cavill had previously said he would stick with the show for its planned seven-season run, telling The Hollywood Reporter in 2021 he would “absolutely” reprise his role if the show continues, so long as it keeps “telling great stories which honor [author Andrzej] Sapkowski's work.”
@MissChezza2 wrote on Twitter: “I’m upset that Henry Cavill is leaving The Witcher, but I’m even more upset at the audacity of the Netflix writers in thinking they can do better than Sapkowski’s novels (especially after season 2 proved that they, in fact, cannot).”
Many fans feel the change will cause the demise of the show, and some on Twitter have posted using the hashtag #boycottthewitcher to make their feelings known. @crxerz wrote: “This show is done; season 2 was pretty bad so makes sense that Henry Cavill left... he said he wanted Netflix to be true to the source material.”
@Schattenwolf_ added: “Without #HenryCavill you can cancel the Show #boycottthewitcher”
“@netflix I’m boycotting The Witcher if Henry Cavill isn’t Geralt. No way! #boycottthewitcher,” echoed @mica_hammer
The Witcher season three is currently scheduled for release on Netflix in Summer 2023.
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