The Witcher Season 3: Unveiling the New Chapter with Geralt - Will Netflix's Massive $319 Million Investment Pay Off?

Content: Despite the undeniable fact that Henry Cavill will be departing after The Witcher season 3 and Liam Hemsworth will be taking on the role of Geralt of Rivia, this unfortunate development is negatively impacting the Netflix show. In October 2022, Netflix shocked audiences by announcing Cavill's departure and Hemsworth's confirmation as his replacement. This revelation has been looming over the show, affecting not only its prequel, The Witcher: Blood Origin, but also casting a shadow over The Witcher season 3.

While there have been numerous discussions regarding Cavill's departure and Hemsworth's suitability for the role, there are now even more significant concerns at play. The upcoming season 3 will serve as Cavill's final portrayal as Geralt, and his performance thus far, particularly in the first five episodes comprising part one, has been commendable. With an estimated expenditure of around $319 million for The Witcher seasons 1 and 2 (according to Forbes), Netflix has a substantial investment riding on the success of the show. Unfortunately, indications suggest that things may not be going as planned.

Henry Cavill Is Really Great In The Witcher Season 3 - But The Show Good Isn't Without Him

It should come as no surprise given the past two seasons, but The Witcher season 3 serves as another reminder of Henry Cavill's exceptional performance as Geralt of Rivia. This role truly defines Cavill as an actor, and season 3, part 1 brilliantly showcases all of his strengths. Geralt's action scenes continue to be impressive, further solidifying his status as one of the most formidable individuals. He exudes an incredible confidence in everything he does, effortlessly balancing charisma, charm, brooding intensity, and even a subtle sense of humor.

The Witcher season 3 truly shines when Cavill graces the screen, particularly in the scenes featuring him and Ciri (Freya Allen). These scenes provide the show with its emotional core and are the primary reason to become invested in its story. Unfortunately, as the show expands its scope in season 3 and grants more screen time to supporting characters, Cavill's absence becomes increasingly evident and detrimental to the overall quality of The Witcher. Few characters are as captivating or intriguing as Geralt, and none possess the same captivating presence that Cavill brings to the role. In essence, Cavill is the driving force behind everything that is exceptional about The Witcher season 3, while any shortcomings are often a result of his absence.

Liam Hemsworth Could Be A Good Geralt... But Will He Be Given A Chance?

Replacing Henry Cavill as Geralt in The Witcher is no easy feat, especially for Liam Hemsworth, who wasn't initially considered for the role. While Hemsworth may not possess the same credentials as Cavill, such as playing Superman or wowing audiences with impressive action scenes, it's important not to dismiss him completely. He has shown his talent in fantasy franchises like The Hunger Games and his action skills in movies like The Expendables 2. Although he may not be the obvious choice, there's little evidence to suggest he won't be able to deliver.

However, it's unlikely that the success or failure of Liam Hemsworth's portrayal of Geralt will have a significant impact. The disappointment of Cavill's departure, coupled with the unexpected selection of Hemsworth as his replacement, has dominated discussions surrounding The Witcher. Audiences are still struggling to come to terms with these changes. The key issue now is not whether people will like Hemsworth's Geralt, but whether they'll be willing to give him a fair chance. With many viewers likely to lose interest after season 3 or even sooner due to Cavill's absence, Hemsworth's portrayal might not get a fair opportunity to prove itself.

Is There Any Hope For The Witcher's Future Without Henry Cavill's Geralt?

Looking back to the end of 2021, The Witcher's future appeared extremely promising. Despite some issues, The Witcher season 2 was a major success, with season 3 already confirmed prior to the release of season 2. The animated movie Nightmare of the Wolf even achieved a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Additionally, there were plans for numerous spinoffs, making The Witcher a highly lucrative franchise for Netflix. However, everything took a rapid turn in 2022. To everyone's surprise, Cavill announced his departure, and The Witcher's next prequel, The Witcher: Blood Origin, received a disappointing rating of only 30% on Rotten Tomatoes.

While The Witcher season 4 is undoubtedly happening (at least at the time of writing), the future beyond that remains uncertain. Although more animated spinoff movies and shows have been announced, their realization may no longer be a certainty. The possibility of The Witcher season 5 and beyond exists, as the story being told cannot be wrapped up in just one more season. However, the continuation of the series relies heavily on the success and positive reception of season 4. It would not be surprising if things further deteriorated. The Witcher's success is already waning, even with Cavill, and although it could continue without him and with other talented individuals like Allen stepping up, the future could be rather bleak.