Netflix fans have been given a first look at Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher, 18 months after Henry Cavill’s shock exit.
The Australian native, brother to Thor actor Chris, is taking over the role for the upcoming fourth season.
The role was originally played by Superman star Henry Cavill, who played the character for the first three series.
In the first images, we can see the TV star with Geralt’s long, white hair, in a shot looking at him from behind.
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Netflix also released a video, where he walks away from the camera before turning around, and a close-up shows Geralt’s yellow eyes.
Cavill announced his exit from the show in a shock update in October 2022, a year before his final season was released in two parts in 2023.
The movie star said at the time: “My journey as Geralt of Rivia has been filled with both monsters and adventures, and alas, I will be laying down my medallion and my swords for season four”.
“In my stead, the fantastic Mr Liam Hemsworth will be taking up the mantle of the White Wolf. As with the greatest of literary characters, I pass the torch with reverence for the time spent embodying Geralt and enthusiasm to see Liam’s take on this most fascinating and nuanced of men.”
Liam Hemsworth said he was ‘over the moon’ over his role in The Witcher.
The Hunger Games star released a statement after: “Henry Cavill has been an incredible Geralt, and I’m honoured that he’s handing me the reins and allowing me to take up the White Wolf’s blades for the next chapter of his adventure.”
“Henry, I’ve been a fan of yours for years and was inspired by what you brought to this beloved character. I may have some big boots to fill, but I’m truly excited to be stepping into The Witcher world.”
The reason the move was shocking, was because Cavill also revealed he was reprising his role as Superman in the franchise, but these crumbled under studio head James Gunn.
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The Politician star David Corenswet is now set to play Superman, not Cavill.
It comes after the streaming giant announced The Witcher would end after the fifth season.
Alongside Hemsworth, there are other stars set to join The Witcher, including The Matrix actor Laurence Fishburne, Sharlto Copley, James Purfoy, Leo Bonhart and Danny Woodburn.
The Witcher season 4’s release date has not yet been released.
Fans react to Liam Hemsworth as The Witcher’s Geralt
One viewer said: “They carefully tried to make him look like Henry Cavill, and not to discredit Liam Hemsworth but Henry’s physique, physicality and voice made the Geralt live action into what it is.
“Liam is on the unfortunate position, having been the second choice when Henry was cast and now called back to fill in a hard and uncomfortable position. No matter how buffed he gets or gets his voice gutteral and gruffs like him, Henry’s figure and voice has solidified the look. At least Liam is getting paid so he’s not the unlucky person here.”
A second quipped it was the ‘switcher’, and a third wrote: “No Henry, no watching”.
While a fourth added: “If Liam was Geralt from the beginning, I feel like we might have accepted him, but Cavil made that role his own, and to see anyone else play it simply doesn’t work.”
And a fifth decided: “Feel sorry for Liam, dude doesn’t deserve any hate for what the writers/producers have done to this show. He actually looks good and it would have been nice to see him in a role on the show. We can’t have nice things I guess.”
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