The Witcher Fans Divided over Netflix's Departure from the Creator's Vision
Witcher fans accuse Netflix of disregarding creator Andrzej Sapkowski's input, leaving them disappointed and convinced of the show's lack of fidelity to the original ideas
Andrzej Sapkowski, creator of The Witcher, claims that Netflix disregarded his concepts for the TV series, prompting disappointed fans to express that it was already apparent. Prior to the premiere of Season 1, a devoted group of Witcher fans doubted the loyalty of the show's adaptation. Their initial worries seem to be validated based on the content of the first three seasons.
Henry Cavill's exit as Geralt and the controversial third season of the Netflix series have only added to fan dissatisfaction. Author and franchise creator Andrzej Sapkowski has previously been ambivalent about the Netflix adaptation, stating at the Taipei International Book Exhibition that he has seen better and worse. In a more recent interview, Sapkowski has shared some insight into his creative role in the show.
The Witcher creator says Netflix never listened to his ideas
YouTuber Cerealkillerz interviewed Andrzej Sapkowski during Vienna Comic Con, asking about his influences, The Witcher books, and, of course, the ongoing television series.
At the end of the interview, the YouTuber inquired about Sapkowski's visit to the Witcher set, specifically asking if he shared any ideas with the Netflix team. The novelist responded, "Yeah, the set was really something, you know, really something... maybe I gave them some ideas, but they never listen to me," he chuckled heartily. "They never listen to me. But it's normal, it's normal. 'Who's this? It's the writer, it's nobody,'" he added in a light-hearted manner. (Discussion about The Witcher Netflix series begins at approximately the 11:07 mark.)
The interview made its way to The Witcher subreddit, with a thread where some say Sapkowski’s comment about Netflix ignoring his ideas isn’t a surprise.
One comment reads, "As expected, the awful writing and plotlines were no surprise to anyone."
Some argue that he has no right to complain since he chose not to be heavily involved from the beginning. In a 2020 Gizmodo interview, Sapkowski stated that he didn't want to interfere with the creation of The Witcher adaptation and never insisted on any specific details.
A Redditor expressed, "If he wanted Netflix to follow his story, he should've been more involved in the show." Now, the focus is on how The Witcher crew will manage Liam Hemsworth taking on the role of Geralt. However, with Season 4 set to start filming in 2024, the wait might be quite long.
Editor's P/S
As a fan of The Witcher, I am deeply disappointed by the news that Netflix has disregarded Andrzej Sapkowski's input for the TV series. Sapkowski is the creator of the Witcher universe, and his ideas and vision are essential to the franchise's success. The fact that Netflix has chosen to ignore his input is a slap in the face to fans and a clear indication that they are not interested in creating a faithful adaptation of the source material.
I am also concerned about the future of The Witcher series. Henry Cavill's departure as Geralt is a huge blow, and the controversial third season has left fans feeling disappointed and frustrated. If Netflix continues to ignore Sapkowski's input and make changes to the story that fans don't like, I fear that the series will continue to decline in quality. I urge Netflix to reconsider their approach to The Witcher series and to start listening to Sapkowski and the fans. If they don't, I fear that the series will not survive.
