Henry Cavill's departure from The Witcher may be disappointing, but HBO redeeming the situation by casting him in an upcoming Game of Thrones prequel would be a significant improvement. In October 2022, it was announced that Cavill would be leaving The Witcher after season 3, with Liam Hemsworth taking over the role of Geralt of Rivia for season 4 onwards. However, this recasting has negatively affected The Witcher, leading to a decline in viewership.
As for Cavill himself, things haven't gone smoothly. There were various reasons for his departure, including issues with the show's storyline and his busy schedule. Interestingly, the announcement coincided with his return as Superman in the DCEU, but subsequent changes have resulted in him no longer playing Superman or continuing as Geralt for much longer. This leaves room for Cavill to join another major franchise. With multiple Game of Thrones spinoffs in the works, Cavill has frequently been suggested for various Westerosi characters. However, there is one particular role that would be fitting and could fill the void left by his departure from The Witcher.
Henry Cavill Has Been Fancast As Aegon The Conqueror - And Would Be Perfect
Henry Cavill's name has often been suggested as a perfect fit for the role of Aegon the Conqueror in a potential Game of Thrones prequel show. Recently, HBO has been rumored to be developing such a series, allowing for the exciting possibility of Cavill taking on this iconic character. Aegon the Conqueror holds immense importance in the history of Westeros as the first Targaryen King, making Cavill's stature and talent a suitable match.
Cavill has both the physical appearance, as proven by his portrayal of Geralt, along with extensive experience in the fantasy genre, which would complement a Game of Thrones prequel. With a proven track record in action sequences and impressive swordfighting skills displayed as Geralt, Cavill's expertise would lend itself well to portraying Aegon. Additionally, he possesses the dramatic range necessary to effectively capture the character's complexity. Aegon must embody great power and command, while also being charismatic and even romantic. He needs to be equally convincing in both political and dragonback scenarios, all of which Cavill is well-equipped to bring to life.
Henry Cavill In A Game Of Thrones Prequel Could Be Even Better Than The Witcher's Geralt
In addition, House of the Dragon unveiled Aegon the Conqueror's vision involving White Walkers, which added deeper dimensions to his conquest. This revelation indicates that Aegon's motives were not solely driven by personal ambition and thirst for power, but by something grander. Aegon's character was influenced and propelled by destiny, potentially burdened by the weight of it. An actor of Cavill's caliber could skillfully explore these intricacies, breathing life into the character in a way that surpasses everyone's expectations in terms of complexity and depth.
Having Henry Cavill join a Game of Thrones prequel would have been a fantastic opportunity for him under any circumstances. However, it's particularly exciting now that he's moving on from The Witcher and no longer has the role of Superman to fall back on. This new venture offers him another major franchise, one that has the potential to transcend both the big and small screens (rumors suggest there may even be plans for both a movie and a TV show based on Aegon the Conqueror). Rather than simply competing with or replacing The Witcher, this opportunity could actually surpass its success.
Cavill excels in his role as Geralt, although The Witcher's content doesn't always match his performance. Over the years, the show has faced challenges in its storytelling and character development, including timeline confusion and mishandling of Yennefer in season 2. While Game of Thrones faced controversy with its ending, it was widely acclaimed and considered one of the greatest TV shows of all time throughout its duration.
Similarly, critics and audiences alike praised House of the Dragon. While nothing is guaranteed, the Game of Thrones franchise sets a higher standard than The Witcher, which means Cavill could potentially have even better material to work with. Moreover, he would have the opportunity to elevate the show with his exceptional acting skills. In essence, Cavill would be a fantastic addition to Game of Thrones, and the show would also greatly benefit from his presence.