Henry Cavill sure loves getting people talking. This week, Cavill returned alongside Millie Bobbie Brown within the protected and charming Enola Holmes 2, reprising his role as a hulking and barely less capable Sherlock Holmes. More importantly, the actor donned the red and blue again with a cameo appearance at the tip of Black Adam. Cavill’s seconds on screen sent fans right into a frenzy, and his many, many, many statements about Superman’s long-awaited return made it clear his recent tackle the Last Son of Krypton could be far faraway from the stoic man-god he played in previous DCEU entries.
Nevertheless, Cavill’s biggest news got here over the weekend, with a bombshell report about his exit from Netflix’s hit The Witcher. Shortly after the show’s Twitter account posted the news, Cavill took to Instagram to make a vague statement about his departure. The news shocked the business, with few, if any, outlets anticipating the announcement, not to say Cavill’s rabid fandom, who immediately began pointing fingers while scrambling for a proof.
It’s at all times hard to see an actor depart a beloved role, especially when said actor does a great job with the part. Nevertheless, Cavill’s exit from the show became a good more delicate subject, considering the abruptness of the news and the shortage of clarity regarding his motives. Vagueness only advantages the rumor mill, and the rumors will not be looking good for anyone involved. But Cavill is arguably making a mistake in forsaking a job that critics and audiences agree was meant for him, maybe even greater than Superman. And while playing the Man of Steel in a significant movie might sound more appealing than spending 4 more seasons slumming within the Continent down on Netflix, Geralt may be the role Cavill was born to play.
Cavill respects The Witcher’s character and lore
Although Cavill’s experience in The Witcher at all times seemed positive, the show itself has at all times been somewhat controversial. Season 1 received considerable criticism for its confusing storytelling approach, earning a mediocre 68% on Rotten Tomatoes. The performances — particularly Cavill and series standout Anya Chalotra — earned praise, however the writing attracted mixed-to-negative reviews. Still, critics and fans agreed the show had potential and attributed the imbalance to it being its first season. Season 2 of The Witcher received considerably more praise from critics, who praised the tone, performances, and the more unified and focused plot. Nevertheless, fans weren’t so receptive toward the brand new season.
The show made many changes to the source material, including altering certain characters’ fates, changing major storylines, and playing fast and loose with the lore. Controversy will at all times arise every time an adaptation changes facets of the source material. Nevertheless, The Witcher‘s major problem is its lack of a transparent vision of what it desires to be, a confusion shared by everyone in front of and behind the camera. Whereas the games are very clear about being distinct stories inspired by the characters and events from the novels, the show marketed itself as an adaptation of the novels. Alas, it did not live as much as that promise.
“Don’t throw anything at me!” The Witcher’s Henry Cavill on coin tossing, Warhammer and Highlander.
In the course of the show’s press tours, Cavill went on about how he desired to be faithful to the books. Moreover, he talked about the way it was a struggle to reconcile his love for the books with “the showrunners’ vision,” making it appear to be there was a real problem throughout the show’s creative team.
Cavill has grow to be a poster child for the geek community; he adores his PC, plays World of Warcraft, brags about his passion for Warhammer on Instagram, and goes on about his love for fantasy novels. Fans consider him the King of the Nerds, a title he doesn’t appear to mind. And, if the King of Nerds himself, who famously fought to win the role of Geralt, seems unhappy along with his show, then it have to be since the showrunners aren’t taking the source material seriously, right? That’s what his fans consider; unfortunately, the rumors surrounding The Witcher‘s production seem to verify it.
A number of weeks ago, Beau DeMayo, who worked as a author on The Witcher, claimed during an Instagram Q&A that several of the show’s writers “actively disliked the books and games” and openly “mocked the source material.” The scathing news followed several other incidents by which the creative minds behind the show looked as if it would misunderstand the source material. A serious piece of reports got here out after season 2’s premiere, by which showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich confessed Cavill rewrote Roach’s death scene, turning it right into a heartfelt moment versus the scene’s original humorous tone.
With a divisive second season and news that the show’s author’s room dislikes the source material, Cavill’s exit seems to make sense. His fans consider the show failed him, while trades and insiders attempt to beat one another and find the actual reason behind his departure. Nevertheless, few are wondering if Cavill should’ve left the show, especially considering the ink isn’t dry on his Superman contract; in line with some, there won’t even be one. So was he right to depart? Probably not.
He’s a greater fit for Geralt than Superman
What makes Cavill such a convincing and compelling Geralt? For starters, he suits the physical bill to a tee. The guy is huge, with arms the scale of tree trunks and thighs threatening to burst out of his pants. Cavill has the physique of a hero, or on this case, a monster hunter. Sure, the wig looked low cost in season 1, but Cavill’s screen presence was overwhelming.
Still, beyond any physical trait, Cavill understands Geralt. The White Wolf is a fancy character within the books and games, a sensitive wannabe philosopher masquerading as a brutal and stoic monster killer. Geralt is funny, possessing a dry humorousness and curiosity beyond anyone’s expectations. Despite his hulking appearance, he’s a softie, deeply insecure and combating feelings of inadequacy bordering on self-pity. Above all, and most surprisingly, Geralt is a hopeful man. He’s cynical and pragmatic but still believes; he struggles to take care of his humanity in a world that continuously tries to deprive him of it and makes the most effective out of his nomadic, solitary lifestyle.
Cavill knows all this about Geralt and incorporates it beautifully into his portrayal. Say what you’ll about Cavill’s acting abilities, however the guy embodies Geralt perfectly. Even during season 1, when he confusingly spends more often than not in sulking silence, the actor embodies Geralt’s major traits effortlessly. He’s curious, observing from the corner and analyzing his surroundings. He’s gentle, treating his friends and allies with care while still keeping them at a distance. He’s moral, hesitating before every motion he makes and being afraid to mess up like he has again and again before.
Season 2 First Look Clip: Geralt & Ciri | The Witcher
Season 2 allows Cavill more room to explore Geralt’s psyche. Placing his tender side front and center as he finds himself caring for Ciri and mourning the supposedly dead Yennefer, Cavill finds recent layers to finish his portrayal of Geralt. The result’s a comprehensive tackle a personality who defies people’s expectations. Just like the Geralt on the page, Cavill’s Geralt is a nice surprise — perhaps not the type that takes your breath away, but definitely the sort that brings a warm smile to your face.
Most significantly, Cavill’s passion for Geralt was at all times blatantly obvious. The guy desired to be Geralt, and it showed. How often are actors so obsessed with the role they’re playing? Many take these high-profile jobs for the paycheck and so as to add a significant franchise to their resume. But Cavill loved The Witcher and ensured everyone knew it.
Now, Liam Hemsworth is an okay actor. He isn’t a movie star, but he isn’t completely awful. Nevertheless, once you had someone like Cavill, who set the bar high, actively contributed to making a fully-fledged version of the character, and had real passion for the project, it’s hard not to think about the substitute as a poor man’s excuse. Netflix and The Witcher are organising Hemsworth for failure. Unless this man gets Andrzej Sapkowski right into a room and writes a thousand-page dissertation on Geralt’s psyche, chances are high his efforts will at all times pale compared to Cavill’s.
The White Wolf or the Last Son of Krypton?
It’s hard to not think that Cavill jumped from the Witcher ship because something higher got here along, mainly the prospect to wear the red cape again. Indeed, the Man of Steel isn’t only essentially the most powerful DC character but an outright popular culture icon with an indelible place in our collective imagination. Only a idiot would say no at the prospect to play him.
And yet, one can’t help but think that Cavill is a greater fit with Geralt than Superman. The Last Son of Krypton is a shameless boy scout; he’s a mama’s boy, a trooper, and an unassuming goofball. Superman is the type of unabashedly cheery person who can only exist in comic books. He is simply too much but is rarely annoying or tiresome. He’s the final word role model, a living, respiratory ray of sunshine. That’s difficult to portray. Many actors have tried, but only just a few have truly succeeded.
Cavill is a captivating guy, and while he can undoubtedly portray a hopeful and positive Superman, can he live as much as the expectations of tens of millions of individuals? He hasn’t been Superman in five years, and fans have been tirelessly clamoring for his return. They are going to expect the highest version of the Man of Steel to this point. Cavill must be perfect — not good, not great — because nothing else will suffice.
Then there’s the brooding elephant within the room. Many fans wanted Cavill back, because he represents the start of the DCEU, and his return would mean restoring a selected director’s vision. But Cavill has made it blatantly clear he wants nothing to do with the stoic version of Superman, which suggests no restoring of anything.
Will those fans support Cavill’s recent, more traditional take, or will they turn their backs on him? Cavill appears to be entering his recent Superman journey with much more obstacles than when he first took on the role in 2013. 11 years is a major period of time. Is there still room for his Superman? Is there still an audience, or was the noise to bring him back just that: noise?
With Geralt, Cavill had something good, a personality untouched by anyone else, with enough appeal to cement itself as a significant player in popular culture. If Cavill indeed had an issue with the behind-the-scenes talent, surely he had enough pull to renegotiate their approach to the show? Fans would’ve rallied behind him. Nevertheless, if it was a Superman-or-Geralt situation, was the most effective alternative not Geralt? It might’ve hurt to say goodbye to Superman, but he had a complete continent to make up for the loss.
Alas, the deed is finished, and Henry Cavill is the Witcher no more. The show’s future doesn’t seem promising — we will probably say goodbye to the proposed seven-season plan. I’d be surprised if it makes it past Hemsworth’s first season. As for Superman, only time will tell, but Cavill faces an uphill battle. Unlike with Geralt, Cavill re-enters the Superman camp with a divided fandom split in half about whether he’s a great alternative for the role. The DCEU is on the snapping point, and James Gunn and Peter Safran will certainly do every little thing of their now considerable power to maintain it afloat. If Cavill plays his cards right, which may include him. If he doesn’t, or if his tackle Superman underperforms in any way, we might be seeing a recent Man of Steel in years. Then, all this mess would’ve been for nothing.
You’ll be able to stream the primary two seasons of The Witcher on Netflix. You can even stream Man of Steel on HBO Max. Don’t hassle with Justice League though.
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