"The concept of a man terrorizing the crew" - New details of The Witcher replacing Henry Cavill sends fans into disarray

The Witcher has once again become the center of online debate - and this time, it’s not about monsters or magic. A recent change to a Netflix Tudum article about Liam Hemsworth’s casting as Geralt of Rivia has set the fandom ablaze, reigniting discussions about Henry Cavill’s sudden departure and the rumored tension behind the scenes.

What started as an exciting insight into Hemsworth’s preparation for The Witcher Season 4 has now turned into speculation that Cavill’s exit was less amicable than what fans were led to believe. Now, new details from an edited Tudum interview suggest Netflix may have been planning his replacement years earlier, causing uproar among loyal viewers, with one fan exclaiming:

"the concept of a man terrorizing the crew and cast of a popular series so much they already started calling for a replacement😭😭"

“His journey began with a phone call in 2020” – What the edit reveals and fans' reaction explored

In the Tudum interview, Liam Hemsworth opened up about how he came to take over the role of Geralt of Rivia. Among his many quotes about training and preparing for the part, one specific line sparked massive controversy. Originally, the article stated:

“Hemsworth’s journey began with a phone call in 2020, while he was home in Australia. ‘My agent called me and said they were interested in me stepping into the world of Geralt, and continuing on with this series,’ the actor recalls.”

This detail was quickly noticed - and then, just as quickly, removed from the article. Fans pointed out that if Hemsworth was approached as early as 2020, that would mean Netflix began searching for Henry Cavill’s replacement shortly after Season 1 aired, years before his official departure in 2022.

The wording immediately fueled a flurry of online theories. The above tweet by a X user summarized the prevailing sentiment. The removal of the line only deepened the mystery, with fans claiming Netflix was attempting to quietly rewrite history.

Many began speculating that Cavill’s exit may have stemmed from creative or personal conflicts - with some even suggesting, based on vague production rumors, that the actor may have been “difficult to work with” or “intimidating on set.” Social media users debated whether the showrunner and producers had clashed with Cavill during filming.

However, there’s no verified evidence supporting the idea that Cavill was ever abusive or unprofessional. Much of the discussion is built on conjecture and snippets from past interviews where creative differences between Cavill and the writers’ room were hinted at. Cavill himself has always maintained a dignified stance, expressing pride in his work and gratitude to fans while stepping away from the role.

Meanwhile, Liam Hemsworth has handled his entry into The Witcher world with humility and respect. In the same interview, he reflected on the daunting challenge of taking over such an iconic character:

“Initially, I was pretty hesitant and unsure. It’s an odd thing to be asked to come in midway through a series like this and continue on as the lead character. But, as a fan of the video game, I felt like I could do something cool with it,” said Hemsworth.

Showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich echoed confidence in his casting, explaining:

 “The very first time that I met with Liam Hemsworth, in my gut, I knew that he would make a perfect Geralt for us in Season 4.”

Despite the social media storm, Netflix has not released an official statement clarifying the Netflix Tudum edit or addressing the theories that have emerged. Still, the controversy has undeniably overshadowed the positive press surrounding Hemsworth’s transformation and training. Fans remain divided - some eager to embrace the new Geralt, others unwilling to let go of Cavill’s definitive portrayal. Here are a few of the fan reaction:

"This would be right after S1 aired, right? Why tho," a X user was confused as to why they decided that early into the series.

"Damn this early???lol," another user was surprised.

"They should've dropped the showrunners instead," another believed that the should had axed the showrunner instead, and not Cavill.

"damn all because he wanted to stay close to the source material," a user suggested that it may be related to Cavill wanting to stick to the source material for the series.

What to expect from The Witcher Season 4 – Cast, plot, and release details

The Witcher season 4 marks a major turning point for the series, introducing Liam Hemsworth as Geralt in place of Henry Cavill. The upcoming chapter promises to dive deeper into the emotional and political chaos left behind after Season 3’s explosive finale.

The logline for The Witcher season 4, as per Netflix, reads:

After the Continent-altering events of Season Three, Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri find themselves separated by a raging war and countless enemies. As their paths diverge, and their goals sharpen, they stumble on unexpected allies eager to join their journeys. And if they can accept these found families, they just might have a chance at reuniting for good…

Season 4 also brings back Laurence Fishburne as Regis, a character beloved from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, marking one of the show’s most exciting additions. Lauren Schmidt Hissrich returns as showrunner, promising that Hemsworth’s Geralt will bring a different kind of energy to the White Wolf.

In the Tudum feature, producer Tomasz Bagiński described Hemsworth’s physical dedication as:

“The role of Geralt is even more demanding because it’s a very specific type of physicality. I call it ‘warrior dancer,’ where he has to be very fluid in his motions, and very fast, and also very good with a sword. Liam started very early, and he was very focused on getting this bit right.”

The actor also transformed his physique for the role. According to Hissrich, when production resumed after the 2023 strike, she was stunned to see how much he’d changed:

“He was enormous — the most fit man I’ve ever seen. He had put forth this effort to physically transition himself into Geralt.”

The Witcher Season 4 premieres on Netflix on October 30, 2025, and consists of eight episodes, which will be released collectively. Production for the fifth and final season has already been confirmed, and it’s expected to wrap up Geralt’s story with a definitive ending.

As the Continent prepares for its next battle, so too does The Witcher franchise - not just to win viewers back, but to remind them why its story, like Geralt himself, endures through every trial.