In 2019, Netflix released the highly anticipated book-to-video game-to-series adaptation of The Witcher. This convergence of mediums smelled of success from the beginning. Fantasy is where every genre meets and mingles. Pulling off a fantasy production based on a video game based on a book has to have stunning cinematography, dazzling fight scenes, and an extraordinary cast. Without these elements, the production may be dull and monotonous.
When The Witcher trailer premiered, it was a dream come true for new and seasoned fans. The ultimate attraction for the collective was lead actor Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia. In addition to his physique, Cavill’s previous experience as the best Superman since Christopher Reeves made him a perfect casting choice. His love for video games and books, particularly fantasy novels, also appealed to fans who were familiar with The Witcher. Several more reasons make Cavill the perfect Geralt, which are listed below and are why his final days as the character are even more devastating for fans of the series.
His Action Movie Background
Cavill is known for the coveted role of Clark Kent/Superman in the DCEU. He merged a god-adjacent character with intimate compassion to make Superman more adored by audiences. Cavill brought Superman into modernity. Of course, the man who’s faster than a speeding bullet isn’t Cavill’s sole experience as an action star. His repertoire is full of heroes in the action movie genre. In fact, one of his first productions was Albert in The Count of Monte Cristo.
Cavill went on to star in other action films like Tristan + Isolde, Stardust, and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. His expansive experience making action-adventure films regardless of the role is one of many reasons he is perfect as Geralt in The Witcher. Geralt is a contract killer of monsters who greatly mistrusts humans. Yet his mission to protect them is greater than his disdain.
The sophistication Cavill brings to his known and to-be-known characters is at its peak with Geralt. Every role he has brought to life converges with Geralt, the hero who doesn’t want to be a hero. This trait of his is part of the struggle protagonists face, and it’s arguably what divides a villain from a hero.
An Avid Gamer
The Netflix series is based on a video game of the same title. CD Projekt Red released The Witcher video game in 2007. For 16 years, the game has remained popular for a myriad of reasons. According to Game Design, a video game's popularity is based on 10 key factors. One of these factors is the world and its landscape’s vividness, something The Witcher video game excels at.
In addition, the gameplay needs to be exciting. The Witcher game has players aid Geralt in making thought-provoking decisions that affect politics, humanity's survival, and more. In the Netflix production, these aforementioned qualities in the game are just two elements of the series’ success.
Yet the defining factor of its success is held by Cavill’s love for gaming. During interviews for the DCEU, Cavill would become excitable when talking about the largest multiplayer game, World of Warcraft. Being a gamer himself, Cavill fathoms the significance of the medium’s adaptation from 3D animation into a live-action production. The variety of elements that aid a video game's popularity needs to be understood by the actor who is not only an experienced action hero but an actor who is passionate about video games.
Related: The Witcher: Henry Cavill's Best Moments as Geralt
Dedication to Stunts
Hollywood magic is built on the same principles as a trained magician’s: the art of misdirection. From the use of prosthetics and camera angles, plenty of Hollywood’s funniest and most awe-inspired scenes are built on illusion. Before CGI, directors would find creative ways to portray certain movements. In addition to camera angles, studios bring in stunt doubles for lead actors. The training for being a stunt double is extensive due to the potential danger of what they need to portray.
Actors like Tom Cruise and Cavill are known for performing their own stunts in their productions. This is an impressive feat considering Cavill’s resume. Furthermore, a live-action adaptation of a video game must guarantee a near-game-like experience for audiences, whether they’ve played the game or not. Many of Geralt’s fight scenes in the series are so well choreographed and shot in a way that they would appropriately be mistaken for being from the video game itself. Considering Cavill’s knowledge of the video game, he made sure his fight scenes were choreographed in a specific way.
History of Being Overlooked
The auditioning process for actors is arduous, and the rejections pile up quickly. Yet it takes a single acceptance to make someone a household name. For Cavill, his breakout role was in the series The Tudors as Charles Brandon. This role eventually led to him being cast as Superman/Clark Kent in the DCEU. Despite appearances, it may seem as if Cavill’s career is set in stone. Like other actors, Cavill has suffered the same rejections as others just as prolific.
Cavill has most recently been replaced by Liam Hemsworth as Geralt and Daren Corenswet as Superman. That said, his history of being overlooked for other roles like the Green Lantern and Edward Cullen, as Looper explains, makes him a perfect Geralt. In The Witcher, Geralt is a witcher, someone who trains extensively to become a monster slayer. Yet he faces discrimination and distrust from villagers and town leaders for his life-saving work. Wherever Geralt goes, he is met with the clothing of pearls until he saves the town and is then met with praise and gratitude.
Related: The Witcher: Why Fans Are So Unhappy About Henry Cavill's Departure
The key to Geralt’s disgust with humanity is a reflection of those who would throw him out simply for his line of work. Because Cavill has been overlooked and replaced in his career for reasons unknown, he brings that pain to Geralt which manifests itself in a deep hatred of humanity.
Training Is a Serious Task
Movie stars are known for many things from the personal to professional lives. While their professional talents are sometimes awarded, the public can be less than gracious when it comes to their personal lives. Actors who have been more forthcoming with intimate details of their personal lives can be met with less than favorable responses which can result in audiences avoiding their projects.
But some actors, like Cavill, keep their intimate lives to themselves. During interviews, Cavill has revealed his love for video games, animals, and books. Yet one question always arises for him: how can people achieve the same physique? Most actors in Cavill’s position lift weights, eat lean proteins, and avoid smoking or drinking. Cavill’s exercise routine for The Witcher is laid out in Men’s Health. He also eats nearly 3,000 calories per day to build his physique. However, the truly impressive aspect of Cavill’s routine is that his physique matches that of Geralt’s in the video game almost exactly. He transforms not just his voice but his body to bring the Witcher character to life.
Avid Reader of Fantasy Novels
Between 1986 and 2013, Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski penned a total of 21 stories about Geralt of Rivia. Across six novels and 15 short stories, Geralt’s story is intimately told. The history of witchers is described and how they came to be revered for their abilities. Additionally, the series describes what sets Geralt apart.
From the novels, a video game was built to bring Geralt and his world to life. Due to the vivid descriptions, the video game could accurately depict every aspect for fans of the books. The descriptions from the books and the world brought to life through the video games gave the creative team at Netflix a solid foundation for their production.
While actors will read the books their projects are based on, Cavill was a fan of the books prior to the project's announcement. For those keeping tabs, his love for video games and books makes him perfect as Geralt. He enjoys the series so much that when he receives gifts from fans, he becomes giddy.
His Approach to Acting
Everyone has a ritual of some kind. Whether it’s dancing to Beyoncé before work or eating something particular before a big sporting event, rituals are specific to each person across professions. Actors are no exception to the ritual. The mental task of becoming a different person might mean eating what they eat, living in the same neighborhood as them, or other aspects of their lives.
Cavill has received praise from colleagues across projects for everything from his intellect, compassion, and dedication to acting. For the role of Geralt, Cavill uses method acting in order to be in character. Despite the negative attention method acting, Geralt’s overall grumpiness may require a mental barrier for Cavill. Yet he also mistakenly went off method for one element of his character.
According to Kotaku, Cavill spoke in a raspy voice while in character without realizing it during filming. Everyone loved his accidental improvisation, and it became a staple of his character. Along with his raspy voice, everything Cavill brought to the role of Geralt will forever solidify him as a perfect casting in the series.
