In The Witcher season 3, Henry Cavill will be bidding farewell to his role as Geralt of Rivia, making way for Liam Hemsworth to take over in season 4. The transition between these actors presents an opportunity for The Witcher to address this significant change within the show's canon. After exploring different aspects of the Witcher universe through the prequel movie The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf and the miniseries The Witcher: Blood Origin, the main series is returning with its third season.
With half of the Continent on the hunt for Ciri (played by Freya Allan) by the end of The Witcher season 2, season 3 will focus on Geralt, Yennefer (played by Anya Chalotra), and Ciri's efforts to ensure their safety. This upcoming season will play a crucial role in the universe's development, not only in terms of the narrative but also due to Cavill's departure as Geralt of Rivia. The Witcher has already been renewed for a fourth season, where Liam Hemsworth will take on the role of Geralt of Rivia. Naturally, The Witcher season 3 will need to provide a justification or explanation for Geralt's physical transformation, and there are several ways the series can accomplish this within its established canon.
9 A Spell Gone Wrong Changes Geralt’s Face In The Witcher
The world of the witcher is filled with magic, spells, potions, curses, and more, permeating every aspect of life, including the witchers themselves who harness its powers. As Yennefer, Geralt, and Ciri strive to remain united, the possibility arises that Geralt could fall victim to a spell gone awry. Perhaps a sorcerer launches an attack with a spell, and Geralt, in an attempt to ward it off, inadvertently experiences unexpected consequences on his physical appearance. Another conceivable scenario is that Yennefer herself is the one casting the spell, further complicating the already intricate relationship between Geralt and Yennefer.
8 Geralt Has His Face Changed With Magic For Protection
Although Ciri is the primary target on the Continent for various reasons, Geralt and Yennefer are also at risk due to their role in protecting and concealing her. To ensure their safety, Geralt could undergo a magical transformation to alter his appearance, considering that he tends to stand out. This task could be entrusted to Yennefer, or they could seek assistance from other skilled sorcerers or mages like Triss Merigold, Tissaia de Vries, or even Vilgefortz.
7 Geralt Goes Through More Mutations In The Witcher
The process of becoming a witcher is intricate and perilous, with mutations being a vital aspect. Prospective witchers undergo the Trials, a series of procedures that involve magical elements, alchemy, and mutagens to induce mutations. The process is excruciatingly painful, resulting in the loss of many candidates. However, those who survive are bestowed with the extraordinary powers and enhancements of witchers. In Geralt's case, he not only endured the Trials but due to his remarkable tolerance, he underwent additional experimental mutations, granting him even greater strength, speed, heightened senses, and complete immunity to diseases and conventional poisons.
In the second season of The Witcher, it was revealed that Ciri's Elder Blood holds the key to creating more witchers, which could prove beneficial in the upcoming third season. If Geralt were to sustain severe injuries and suffer greatly, subjecting him to further mutations may become the only solution. Ciri's blood could potentially play a crucial role in this scenario, possibly with the assistance of Yennefer or other characters. These new mutations could ultimately result in a complete transformation of Geralt's physical appearance.
6 A Potion Changes Geralt’s Appearance in The Witcher
Potions are a common sight in the world of The Witcher, with Geralt himself often carrying ones that cause his eyes to turn completely black. In The Witcher season 4, it is possible that a potion might be responsible for Geralt's altered appearance, with the most likely reason being for protection. Rather than relying on magic to change his physical look, Geralt could utilize a potion with long-lasting effects, allowing him to maintain this new appearance throughout the entire series.
5 Rience Disfigures Geralt In The Witcher Season 3
One of the formidable adversaries that Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer will confront in the upcoming season 3 of The Witcher is Rience. Portrayed by Sam Woolf, Rience is a mage who delves into the forbidden realm of fire magic, having paid a heavy price by sacrificing his own soul to wield this dark power. With his mastery of fire magic, Rience poses a grave threat, capable of disfiguring Geralt in a fierce battle. Even with Geralt's remarkable regenerative abilities, Rience's overwhelming magic may necessitate additional assistance for the witcher's recovery. While Geralt being disfigured and healing with a completely altered appearance may not be the most thrilling reason for a Cavill/Hemsworth transformation, it would align with the overarching narrative of The Witcher season 3.
4 Geralt Will Die In The Witcher Season 3 (& Return With A New Face)
Witchers, including Geralt, possess remarkable regenerative abilities and an immunity to diseases, yet they are not impervious to mortality. In his unwavering pursuit to safeguard Ciri, Geralt may find himself willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the well-being of the Princess of Cintra. However, he finds solace in the presence of formidable allies who could potentially revive him using the mystical arts, albeit with an altered physical form. This resurrection, whether for protective purposes or due to other compelling reasons, would introduce a profound conflict into his bond with Ciri. From her perspective, Geralt would have perished, and his reappearance with a transformed countenance would undoubtedly bewilder and shock the young princess.
3 The Witcher Uses The Multiverse To Recast Geralt
One of the most popular concepts in recent movies and TV shows is the multiverse, which has been predominantly featured in the superhero genre. However, The Witcher can also utilize this concept to its advantage. Within the world of The Witcher, there exists an infinite number of universes, parallel realities, Spheres, and Dimensions. Although some of these have merged or vanished due to the Conjunction of the Spheres, the multiverse remains a fundamental aspect of The Witcher. Additionally, with Ciri possessing the ability to open portals to other dimensions (as demonstrated at the conclusion of The Witcher season 2), The Witcher could introduce a variant of Geralt, thereby providing an explanation for the transition from Henry Cavill to Liam Hemsworth.
2 The Witcher Will Brush Geralt's New Look Off With Humor
With the multitude of events unfolding in The Witcher, there may not be sufficient time to delve into the reasoning behind Geralt's sudden change in appearance after looking the same for years. However, this intriguing development could potentially be explored in season 4 with the introduction of Jaskier. Renowned for his quick wit and penchant for teasing his witcher companion, it is highly likely that he would have a humorous remark or two to make upon encountering Geralt's altered visage.
1 The Witcher Season 4 Will Ignore Henry Cavill's Exit
It is possible that The Witcher may choose to overlook the recasting of Geralt and proceed with the storyline as if nothing had changed. In previous seasons, the character of Rience was also recast, but since he is not the main character, the show was able to avoid addressing the difference in appearance. With the vast and complex universe of The Witcher, it is conceivable that Geralt's new face could be overlooked in order to focus on the unfolding events. However, regardless of the explanation provided by the show, it is unlikely to be convincing enough, and it remains to be seen how the audience will react to Liam Hemsworth's portrayal of Geralt of Rivia.