"The Witcher" season 4 teases new faces as Hemsworth takes lead
The first season of "The Witcher" was one of the biggest hits in streaming history. It had amazing viewership ratings, but viewers and critics did not hold back on criticizing the Netflix production. If only they knew what awaited them in the next two seasons. The first photos from the fourth season set have already appeared online.
12:49 PM EDT, October 10, 2024
"The Witcher" is more than just a high-budget Netflix production. Based on Andrzej Sapkowski's works, the fantasy series has become a hallmark of the streaming platform—a flagship project for which hundreds of millions of dollars are allocated. Therefore, Henry Cavill's resignation 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 was not able to accept the extensive script changes that made the series' Geralt increasingly distant 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 behaved honorably 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 "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 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 orthodox 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 for over six months, with completion planned for the end of October or the beginning of November. The long 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 in the third quarter of 2024.
