The New Witcher Movie's Geralt Recast Is Risky But Could Actually Benefit Season 4
The world of Netflix’s The Witcher continues to expand now with an animated movie, which has another actor voicing Geralt of Rivia – and while risky, this recast could end up benefitting season 4. The world of Andrzej Sapkowski’s The Witcher is very rich, and a live-action TV series was never going to be enough to explore it. In addition to the main series, starring Henry Cavill, Anya Chalotra, and Freya Allan, The Witcher has expanded with an animated prequel movie about Vesemir’s origin, the prequel miniseries Blood Origin, and now the animated movie Sirens of the Deep.
Directed by Kang Hei Chul and based on the short story “A Little Sacrifice”, from the collection Sword of Destiny, The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep takes the audience on a new adventure with Geralt (voiced by Doug Cockle). Geralt sets out to unravel an old conflict between humans and sea people that threatens war between kingdoms, so it's up to Geralt and his allies to solve the mystery and avoid major conflict. Sirens of the Deep will bring a new Geralt performance, which, although risky, could benefit season 4’s Geralt recast.
The Witcher: Sirens Of The Deep's Geralt Recast Is Risky For Season 4's Big Change
Two Geralts In A Short Period Of Time
The world of Netflix’s The Witcher began with Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia, who is an undeniable part of the success of the show. Cavill perfectly brought Geralt to life, and it was of great help that he was already very familiar with the character as a fan of the video games. While The Witcher has had many flaws, mostly related to all the creative liberties the team has taken, Cavill’s performance was one of the few consistently good elements of the show. Unfortunately, Cavill left The Witcher after season 3.
Doug Cockle is not only voicing Geralt in Sirens of the Deep, but he has also voiced the famous witcher in the video games.
Liam Hemsworth was cast as Geralt of Rivia for seasons 4 and 5, but before he makes his debut in the main series, another Geralt actor will join this world. Doug Cockle is not only voicing Geralt in Sirens of the Deep, but he has also voiced the famous witcher in the video games, so for fans of the latter, Cockle’s work in the movie will feel very familiar – and for those who aren’t acquainted with the games, this will be their introduction to a pre-Cavill Geralt actor. However, this is also yet another challenge for Hemsworth.
Bringing Cockle to the world of Netflix’s The Witcher is giving Hemsworth yet another Geralt performance to be compared to, and even more challenging is the fact that he’s a fan-favorite version of the witcher. It’s highly unlikely that Cockle’s performance in Sirens of the Deep won’t be well-received, as he knows the character perfectly by now, so Hemsworth now has even bigger shoes to follow in season 4.
The Witcher Movie's New Geralt Could End Up Benefiting Liam Hemsworth
Liam Hemsworth Is Facing Big Challenges In The Witcher Season 4
While having a different (but not new in the franchise) Geralt actor in Sirens of the Deep will inevitably bring comparisons once Hemsworth makes his debut in season 4, it can also benefit him. Fans of The Witcher were understandably shocked when Cavill left and worried about Hemsworth taking over the role of Geralt. At the time of writing, there’s only a brief first look at Hemsworth as Geralt, but key elements like his voice and mannerisms are still a mystery. However, having another Geralt actor before Hemsworth’s debut can help the audience get used to a Geralt of Rivia that isn’t Cavill.
Cockle’s Geralt performance in Sirens of the Deep could be a bridge between Cavill’s witcher and Hemsworth’s upcoming version, helping make the transition between them a lot smoother. The Witcher season 4 has a lot of challenges to overcome, mostly related to its new Geralt of Rivia, but hopefully, Sirens of the Deep can end up benefiting this transition and the reception of Liam Hemsworth’s Geralt.
The Witcher, released in 2019, follows Geralt of Rivia, a mutated monster hunter navigating a turbulent world where humanity’s darker nature often eclipses the monstrous.
- Cast
- Henry Cavill, Anya Chalotra, Freya Allan, Eamon Farren, Mimî M. Khayisa, MyAnna Buring, Joey Batey, Anna Shaffer, Wilson Mbomio, Mecia Simson, Tom Canton, Mahesh Jadu, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Liam Hemsworth, Martin Angerbauer, Leigh Gill, Freddie Stabb, Adam Levy, Graham McTavish, Cassie Clare, Hugh Skinner, Kim Bodnia, Packy Lee, Mia McKenna-Bruce, Atanáz Babinchak
- Showrunner
- Lauren Schmidt Hissrich
