What does Geralt of Rivia have in common with Batman, Superman, and James Bond? There are certainly many answers to this question, but positioning him anywhere near the echelons of fame and cultural impact that these iconic figures command would be a far-fetched assertion. However, that hasn’t stopped The Witcher’s producer from making such a delusional declaration.
During an interview with Polish outlet Wyborcza, producer Tomasz Bagiński was asked about Henry Cavill’s exit from the Netflix show, and here’s what he had to say:
After shooting Season 3, I took my first vacation in four years and cut myself off. I found out about the case a few days before the official announcement. I do not want to go into the reasons for this decision, because I learned about many things after the fact.
Henry was a fantastic Geralt, but in the history of pop culture we have many actors who played the same character, and the character itself changed. I am most pleased that the series was created and became so popular. The Witcher has already reached the level of Batman, Superman and James Bond. Maybe we hoped to see him in a new version only in a few years, but it happened now. And that’s nothing new for iconic pop culture heroes.
In a discussion that encompasses the likes of Batman, Superman, and James Bond, it’s a baffling thought to imagine the lead character of The Witcher franchise as part of that conversation. Sure, Geralt of Rivia is certainly popular within the gaming community and certain circles of fictional literature, but that’s about it.
Even a character like Lord of the Rings’ Gollum overshadows Geralt in terms of pop culture recognition and prominence.
Even more concerningly, this isn’t the first time Bagiński has made this absurd comparison. Last year, the producer had written on Facebook:
I realize yesterday’s announcement [Henry Cavill’s exit] shocked at least as much as Elon’s takeover of Twitter, but the world survived not such surprises. The Witcher can make it. The third season is very strong. There are only a few years until the fourth. Bond and Batman discover something new and interesting with each change of appearance. We have the time. Geralt is in the same league.
Why this seems to be an argument set in stone in Bagiński’s mind is beyond us, but it definitely explains why the show has experienced its recent downward trajectory. With every season, The Witcher has looked more inconsistent and less engrossing. Season 3 was, for all purposes and intents, supposed to be an earnest farewell to Cavill’s Geralt, but instead, it only reinforced all the reasons why Cavill chose to leave the show.
Numerous actors have taken on the iconic personas of Batman, Superman, and James Bond, each bringing their own unique interpretations to these roles.
With each iteration, the characters’ storylines have undergone a distinct transformation. In stark contrast, the storyline of the upcoming Season 4 of The Witcher will continue seamlessly from the events of Season 3, even with a new actor portraying Geralt. These two comparisons are akin to comparing oranges and apples.
Henry Cavill has always prioritized the faithful adaptation of the source material above all else. While it remains to be seen whether Liam Hemsworth will follow suit, it wouldn’t be surprising if the upcoming two seasons decline further now that we have an idea of what the producer thinks about Geralt.
