Netflix must be feeling really desperate at this point. Season 3 of The Witcher is generating little to no buzz—good or bad—and fans of the show, once so passionate (either out of excitement in Season 1, or distress after the release of Season 2) appear to simply be tuning out.
Much of that is due to the myriad problems with the writing and changes to the source material that made Season 2 such a disaster. But the real nail in the coffin for this show was the announcement that star Henry Cavill would be leaving after Season 3, replaced by Liam Hemsworth.
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Cavill was universally beloved by fans of the books, games and the show, embodying the role of the titular Witcher perfectly. The British actor’s enthusiasm for the source material was infections.
Cavill’s co-star, Anya Chalotra, who plays the sorceress Yennefer, recently said of Cavill:
“He’s very involved in his understanding and portrayal of this character, and it’s something that he’s always been so passionate about from day one, about these characters and this story. That’s all I’ve ever known is his dedication to Geralt and to this narrative.”
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When asked if it was “quite intense” to work with someone who is also such a huge fan, the actress replied:
“No, it’s a breath of fresh air to have someone to work with that loves the material. It really is. Because he knows more than anyone about the world of “The Witcher,” and all the rules and regulations and the terms and “Witcher” knowledge — he’s up there. So to work with that, it’s a blessing because there are days when you might disbelieve the world a little bit more than the next. And he’s there to go, “Hang on, we’ve got this.”
Netflix has made two huge errors at this point. The first was to let the story stray so far from the source material without quality material to replace the original text. I add that caveat because it’s important to remember that CD Projekt RED’s video game adaptations do not adapt the source material either, but create new stories within this universe and with these characters that are true to the original work by Andrzej Sapkowski. The games maintain the spirit of the original material in ways that the TV show simply does not. The first season at least tried, but ever since it’s slipped further and further away. Now, even in Season 3 when the writers at least tried to hew closer to the source material, it still feels insincere. This was a huge, avoidable mistake.
The second mistake—and these are almost certainly linked—was letting Cavill go. We don’t know the details. We don’t know if he left or they fired him or it was a mutual decision. But we do know that Cavill is out, and with him the core, fundamental thing that made this show work. What a missed opportunity.
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As I was saying above, Netflix is clearly aware that it has made a terrible mistake, though I’m uncertain if the streaming giant realizes just how much gold they let slip through their fingers. The potential to create a show as big and beloved as Game Of Thrones was there, but unlike George R.R. Martin’s series, this one was already finished. All they had to do was adapt it faithfully and they had the entire series to work with!
Now Cavill is gone, and these are the billboards Netflix has placed around the UK declaring, pathetically, that “Yes, he’s still Geralt in Season 3”. This is not a joke. This is real. The Witcher Twitter account is tweeting it. People are posting pictures on social media and forums. It is almost too much. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry or to feel genuinely angry.
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Not only does this smack of desperation, it’s a pretty crappy thing to do to Liam Hemsworth. I wonder how the new Geralt feels when he sees these. I wonder how they’ll market Season 4? He’s Not Geralt Anymore, But This Other Guy Is!
What a joke. What a tragedy.
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