Netflix unveiled the first look at Liam Hemsworth playing Geralt in the upcoming fourth season of The Witcher show. Hemsworth came in as a replacement for the now-departed Henry Cavill, whom the fans adored as the White Wolf, and whose legacy is plaguing the former's appearance, undeservedly so.
In this first look, we see Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia, the white-haired Witcher, fighting a Wraith. The whole ordeal is cinematic and fairly well-animated, with Hemsworth not feeling so out of place as many would have anticipated. I would know, since I am one of many, and sincerely believed Hemsworth was in no way, shape, or form fit for this role, an idea I now categorically reject.
Hemsworth is as good as it gets, at least in this brief two-minute sneak peek, and I have no doubt in my mind he'll be able to carry the role to the very end, which is supposed to be seven seasons. Unfortunately, he comes as a replacement, put in the role instead of Henry Cavill, who departed the show for artistic disagreements with the showrunners.
Some theorized that Cavill's departure was related to his pursuit of other ventures, such as a potential new Superman appearance, while others claim that tensions on set, his apparent desire to adhere more closely to The Witcher books, and other disagreements led to his exit.
The reason itself doesn't really matter, since Cavill did so well in the role that he got the series' author to say he's the epitome of Geralt of Rivia, i.e., his real-life manifestation. Additionally, The Witcher show itself, which was getting slammed for poor writing, acting, and distance from the source material, had Cavill literally carrying it on his back, with fans flocking to the series just to see his performance.
So you can see the weight behind his departure and the void it left, one that wouldn't be easy to fill no matter how good an actor is. And, with this new first look, we now see that Hemsworth, despite looking pretty solid in the role, is getting attacked simply for not being Cavill.
“We. Want. Henry,” said one response to the sneak peek. “Wow, this looks horrible. Henry Cavill was way better. Won't be watching this season,” said another. “It looks alright I suppose, but it's not Geralt. Liam is a fine actor, but the shoes he is trying to fill are too big. Cavill is Geralt. Liam is discount Geralt,” stated another still.
You can clearly see that Hemsworth's performance is not being judged on its own merit: he is being compared to Cavill and criticized for not being him, with one of those top responses even equating Geralt to Cavill. It's no wonder, given how well Cavill performed, but I don't think it's really fair to the actor who's clearly trying his best, and doesn't look half-bad, despite the show itself not being all that great.
It just makes me feel sorry for Liam Hemsworth, who doesn't deserve to get dragged through the mud for being himself and not another.
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The post ‘We. Want. Henry:’ We’ve got the first look at Liam Hemsworth as Geralt, and the fan reaction makes me feel sorry for him appeared first on Destructoid.
