Netflix news: Why ‘reluctant’ Liam Hemsworth took on Geralt role in ‘The Witcher’
After three seasons with Henry Cavill in the lead, Liam Hemsworth makes his bow as Geralt in the upcoming fourth season of Netflix’s The Witcher.
A star of The Hunger Games and The Expendables 2, Hemsworth was wary of stepping into Cavill’s shoes.
Film News Blitz’s Dan Lawrence reports on what changed the Aussie’s mind.
A change of heart
Cavill was an avid fan of The Witcher books and video games and quickly became a fan favourite as Geralt in the Netflix adaptation.
His take on the ‘White Wolf’ was widely hailed, and the announcement he’d be departing after season three was met with dismay by the fandom.
Hemsworth’s casting has been met with mixed reactions, and with season four set to air on Netflix on October 30, the jury is still out.
The Australian himself has admitted he was “reluctant” to step into role, but revealed his admiration for the series motivated the decision.
"When I first got approached, I was pretty reluctant at that point,” Hemsworth told the Radio Times.
“I was a big fan of the video game and then I watched the series, and was a fan of the series, and I read the books.”
Being a fan of the show, Hemsworth revealed his passion for the work is why he ultimately decided to succeed Cavill as Geralt of Rivia.
I appreciate these fans, and I appreciate the fact that they care so much about it.
"I think if I wasn't a fan myself, if I didn't care about it, I wouldn't have come on board,” Hemsworth said.
“The reason I came on board was because I was a fan, and because I thought that I could do justice to this character.
“I thought that could bring an interesting interpretation to this part of the story."
Cavill’s blessing
When the casting switch in The Witcher was announced back in 2022, Cavill had words of encouragement for Hemsworth.
Contributing to a statement made by Netflix three years ago, the Briton said, "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,” Cavill continued.
Liam, good sir, this character has such a wonderful depth to him, enjoy diving in and seeing what you can find."
Hemsworth will walk in Geralt’s shoes for two seasons of The Witcher, which have been shot back-to-back after a four-month break in production, to bring an end to Netflix’s adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski’s literary works.
READ MORE: Netflix news: Liam Hemsworth is on a rescue mission in ‘The Witcher’ Season 4 trailer
