Liam Hemsworth will replace Henry Cavill in the starring role of Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’s hit fantasy series The Witcher.
Both actors shared the news to their Instagram accounts on Saturday.
“My journey as Geralt of Rivia has been filled with both monsters and adventures, and alas, I will be laying down my medallion and my swords for Season 4,” Cavill wrote.
“In my stead, the fantastic Mr. Liam Hemsworth will be taking up the mantle of the White Wolf. As with the greatest of literary characters, I pass the torch with reverence for the time spent embodying Geralt and enthusiasm to see Liam’s take on this most fascinating and nuanced of men. Liam, good sir, this character has such a wonderful depth to him, enjoy diving in and seeing what you can find.”
Hemsworth acknowledged the “big boots to fill” in his own Instagram post.
“As a Witcher fan I’m over the moon about the opportunity to play Geralt of Rivia,” he wrote. “Henry Cavill has been an incredible Geralt, and I’m honoured that he’s handing me the reins and allowing me to take up the White Wolf’s blades for the next chapter of his adventure.”
He then addressed Cavill, who played the bane of supernatural beasts in the first three seasons, directly.
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“Henry, I’ve been a fan of yours for years and was inspired by what you brought to this beloved character,” he added. “I may have some big boots to fill, but I’m truly excited to be stepping into The Witcher world.”
The shock move comes just days after Cavill announced he will return to the role of Superman after a five-year hiatus.
The third season of the series will return in 2023, with a four-part prequel series The Witcher: Blood Origin to launch on Christmas Day.
Deadline reports that Cavill will be the only cast member leaving the show, with his co-stars signed on for Season 4 alongside Hemsworth, who reportedly received a “rich” deal.
