Witcher shakes up cast: Liam Hemsworth and Laurence Fishburne step in
The first season of "The Witcher" proved to be one of the biggest hits in streaming history. It boasted incredible viewership ratings, but neither viewers nor critics held back from criticising the Netflix production. If only they had known what awaited them in the next two seasons. The first photos from the set of the fourth season have already appeared online.
10 October 2024 14:19
"The Witcher" is more than just a high-budget Netflix production. The fantasy series has become a hallmark of the streaming platform and a flagship project for which hundreds of millions of pounds are allocated. Therefore, Henry Cavill's departure was a heavy blow for the producers.
It's not entirely clear what led to Henry Cavill's resignation. Still, it can be assumed that, as a loyal fan of Andrzej Sapkowski's novels, he could not accept the extensive script changes that made the series Geralt increasingly divergent from the literary character. In the third season, the series stooped to such a low level that it only embarrassed the Hollywood actor.
However, Cavill conducted himself honourably when announcing his departure from the production. He wrote that his journey as Geralt of Rivia was filled with monsters and adventures, but in the fourth season, he would set aside his medallion and swords and that "the fantastic Mr. Liam Hemsworth will be taking up the mantle of the White Wolf."
In addition to the younger Hemsworth, the series' new acquisition is Laurence Fishburne. The "Matrix" star will portray a character much beloved by Sapkowski's book readers, whom the series viewers have not yet had the chance to meet—the vampire Regis.
The first images of both characters together have appeared online. Fishburne's casting may not sit well with die-hard Sapkowski fans, as the actor does not resemble the character described in the books: "Regis is a graying middle-aged man with a slightly crooked nose and black, shiny eyes. Due to his very pale face and dark attire, he resembles a tax collector. Because of his sharp, vampiric fangs, he almost always smiles with tightly closed lips."
Filming for the fourth season of "The Witcher" was expected to last over half a year. Its completion is planned for late October or early November. The lengthy filming period suggests a high production budget was maintained even after Cavill's departure. The new season of "The Witcher" does not yet have an official release date, but it is suspected that it will likely be released in the third quarter of 2024.
