The Witcher Season 4's first look at Liam Hemsworth is winning over critics
It could be make or break for Netflix's The Witcher, and after sailing the choppy seas of controversy, the live-action adaptation is limping toward its fourth season. Henry Cavill is out as Geralt of Rivia, but instead of calling it quits, The Hunger Games' Liam Hemsworth is stepping in to play the White Wolf.
Hoping to cash in on the success of Andrzej Sapkowski's The Witcher novels and CD Projekt Red's beloved game franchise, Netflix's series started out strong. Cavill was a self-confessed Witcher fanatic and, for many, perfectly embodied the spirit of Geralt. So, when Netflix announced he was leaving, it was more than a bit of a shock.
The Witcher Season 4 gives us a first look at Liam Hemsworth's Geralt
After a recent fakeout where some thought Hemsworth's stunt double was actually him, it looks like we've finally got our first glimpse of our new Geralt. The end of The Witcher Season 3 is presumably the last time we'll see Cavill as Geralt, but it left us on a massive cliffhanger without revealing Hemsworth's new look.
When MyTimeToShineHello shared a snap of Hemsworth from the set of The Witcher Season 4, the ever-grumpy Witcher community was split by what they've seen. After months of hating on the recast, it seems most were won over by Hemsworth's Geralt of Rivia, with some even thinking it was better than Cavill's look.
Even the sceptics were impressed with our first look at Hemsworth, with one fan writing, "He actually looks closer to Geralt wtf 💀." Another added, "Yeah I'm torn because Henry Cavill WAS Geralt but Liam doesn't look bad at all," and a third concluded, "Okay but this actually does look better 😭 I really do hate to admit it."
The Witcher is facing a boycott
Click to enlargeEven if Hemsworth's new Geralt could turn things around for The Witcher, there's an even bigger problem in terms of getting you to come back. After it was confirmed Cavill was leaving the fantasy series, fans turned off in their droves, and the viewing figures plummeted.
As well as threats of a boycott, thousands signed a petition to fire the show's writers and reinstate Cavill. The original plan was apparently to run The Witcher for seven seasons, but now, it's confirmed it will end with Season 5. Well, that's if it makes it through Season 4.
It feels like The Witcher is wounded right now, and it'll take more than a lore-accurate portrayal of Geralt to restore its tattered reputation. It's never nice to see something fail, and while we hope The Witcher Season 4 can return to the show's former glory, Hemsworth and his blonde wig might be a case of too little, too late.
