Following Henry Cavill`s departure from Netflix`s The Witcher in late 2022, Liam Hemsworth steps into the iconic role of Geralt of Rivia for the upcoming fourth and fifth seasons. Hemsworth recently disclosed that he was fully aware of the negative reactions to his casting and consequently avoided the internet extensively during that period.
“There was a significant amount of chatter that I needed to set aside,” Hemsworth shared with Entertainment Weekly. He explained that the “noise” became a distraction. Having faced similar situations before, he emphasized his passion for filmmaking, storytelling, and acting, stating, “I just don`t want any of that to affect my way of telling the story that I`m trying to tell. I largely disconnected from social media and the internet for most of last year.”
Geralt`s State in Season 4
Hemsworth also mentioned that the fourth season begins almost immediately after the events of Season 3, finding Geralt in a physically and mentally vulnerable state.
“Season 4 picks up shortly after the battle with Vilgeforz,” Hemsworth detailed. “Geralt is physically in poor condition, severely injured. Mentally, he`s grappling with unfamiliar emotions like self-doubt and frustration. This season will unveil a very human aspect of his character, alongside his unwavering resolve to overcome these challenges.”
Assembling a New Hansa: The Role of Regis
In the upcoming season, Geralt will gather a team to aid him in locating Ciri (Freya Allan) and ensuring her safe return. Entertainment Weekly confirmed that Laurence Fishburne joins the cast as Regis, a vampire who has forsworn blood and becomes part of Geralt`s new “hansa” or team. Fishburne highlighted the unique dynamic between Regis and Geralt.
“One is a monster killer, and the other is a monster,” Fishburne remarked, describing the intriguing pairing. He explained, “Normally, they would be adversaries. However, in this narrative, Regis has abstained from blood for 50 years, rendering him non-threatening. Geralt accepts this and permits him to join their `hansa` – a diverse group of companions. Furthermore, Regis, being over 400 years old, brings a wealth of life experience and wisdom, which he shares with Geralt during his quest to find Ciri.”
The Witcher Season 4 is set to premiere on Netflix on October 30th. The series has already been greenlit for its fifth and concluding season.
The Witcher Universe: Beyond the Series
In related news, a concert tour featuring music from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt recently began its American leg. CD Projekt Red is also actively developing The Witcher 4, slated to be the first game in the franchise where Ciri takes the lead role. Additionally, a remake of the original 2007 Witcher game is underway, with Fool`s Theory handling development under CD Projekt Red`s supervision.