NETFLIX GERALT

Even buffer. Before I start: I have no major issues with Henry Cavill as Geralt, even if he wasn’t my first, second, or third choice. I waited and hoped he would be good, especially after hearing how passionate Cavill is about the role at The Witcher Panel at San Diego Comic Con 2019.

The British actor was included in the Netflix Witcher cast and managed to beat 200 others for the part. Lauren Hissrich saw something that made him a perfect Geralt of Rivia. Some would argue that she saw it before the rest of the world did or at least most of it.

Anyone can see that Cavill maintained his Superman form that doesn’t quite match the “lanky” and “skinny” witcher described in the books. It was a cause of worry and a lot of memes online. Geralt is certainly supposed to be athletic, but the Netflix Witcher series does present him as a bit more intimidating in that respect.

*Updated after Netflix Witcher show released

I saw it. I loved it. Along with the rest of the fandom, I sighed in relief seeing his hair get toned down from the disastrous first impression wig that made even Christopher Lambert’s Rayden giggle. They have toned down the laughable plastic-looking wig and created believable grizzled-looking hair, often covered by dirt and blood.

Once again, the emphasis was placed on the golden eyes, also prevalent in the games, but not quite in the books. It could be considered a change inspired by CD Projekt Red’s work, but a good one.

Even if Sapkowski’s doesn’t fully describe them, it might’ve been too alienating to fans to show Geralt without his famous golden cat eyes. As a matter of fact, Sapkowski stated that he is more than happy with Cavill’s performance in the show:

“I was more than happy with Henry Cavill’s appearance as The Witcher,” Sapkowski told People. “He’s a real professional. Just as Viggo Mortensen gave his face to Aragorn [in The Lord of the Rings], so Henry gave his to Geralt — and it shall be forever so.”

Now, let’s get into the things the Witcher Netflix show nailed through Cavill’s performance: voice. In the Witcher 3 – The Wild Hunt, Geralt has a distinguishable, rough, deep voice as portrayed beautifully by Doug Cockle. You can’t see him without that voice and Cavill did it justice. More importantly, he embodied the stoicism and gruff behavior with a few smartass replies thrown in there for charm.

Cavill’s performance showed the passion he has for the series and the character himself. You can tell he’s played the games and read the books. It wasn’t just for PR. He did his research and he trained. Honestly, I see more passion in him playing Geralt than his Superman role.

(NETFLIX SHOW SPOILER INCOMING) One big change from books is similar to what the games did. Geralt is mostly a good guy. In the books, he does have his “oh, this guy’s kinda of a jerk” moments. While some of them showed when discussing Yen’s wish to have a child, one of the most important ones was during the banquet when the Law of Surprise is put into play with Pavetta and Duny’s child. In the series, it seems like a throwaway comment from Geralt and he appeared to be as surprised as anyone to learn she was pregnant. I believe the word “fuck” was used. In the books, however, it was a calculated decision. Geralt could sense the life in Pavetta’s womb and purposefully invoked the Law of Surprise, knowing that she would have to give up her child to him. Why? Because witchers were a dying breed and he wanted to train one himself. Kind of a dick move, though.