The world of entertainment often intertwines in unexpected ways, and the story behind Henry Cavill’s departure from Netflix’s The Witcher series is no exception. To find one possible explanation, we must look to an unlikely figure: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and his passion project, Black Adam.
In 2022, Johnson was promoting Black Adam with great excitement. His vision for the film was not just about introducing a new anti-hero into the DC Extended Universe (DCEU); he had his eyes set on something bigger: a showdown between Black Adam and Henry Cavill’s Superman. Johnson had always been vocal about his admiration for Cavill’s portrayal of the Man of Steel and pushed for the possibility of the two iconic characters facing off on the big screen.
At the time, Henry Cavill had not donned Superman’s cape since 2017’s critically panned Justice League. However, Johnson wasn’t deterred. He fought hard to include a teaser at the end of Black Adam, teasing a future clash with Superman, even going over the head of then-DC Films boss Walter Hamada to get it done. His efforts paid off, and shortly after Black Adam premiered, Cavill excitedly announced his return to the DCEU as Superman. Fans were ecstatic, but this return would have a ripple effect far beyond the DC Universe.
Less than a week after announcing his comeback as Superman, Cavill made another, more shocking announcement: he would no longer be playing Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’s The Witcher. This sparked widespread speculation. Did Cavill’s commitment to Superman conflict with his role as Geralt? Or was it simply a matter of timing?
While Cavill’s return as Superman delighted fans, his announcement was premature. Despite Johnson’s best efforts, Black Adam was a commercial and critical failure, and behind the scenes, Warner Brothers was undergoing major changes. David Zaslav, now in charge of Warner Bros. Discovery, hired James Gunn and Peter Safran to reboot the DC Universe. Cavill’s return as Superman was effectively canceled less than two months after he had announced it, leaving fans of both Superman and The Witcher questioning what had really happened.
So, how much did this potential Black Adam versus Superman film influence Cavill’s departure from The Witcher? It’s difficult to say for certain, but some believe Cavill may have left The Witcher to show his commitment to Warner Brothers and to free up his schedule for what he thought was a sure-fire return as Superman. Others speculate that the scheduling conflicts between his anticipated Superman role and The Witcher’s production may have made continuing both projects impossible. Either way, Cavill’s decision to step down as Geralt was a disappointment to many, particularly as his Superman dreams fell apart soon after.
In October 2022, Netflix confirmed that The Witcher would return for a fourth season, with Liam Hemsworth taking on the role of Geralt. Both Cavill and Hemsworth shared heartfelt messages about the change, with Cavill expressing his gratitude for his time as Geralt and his excitement for Hemsworth’s future in the role.
“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.”
As fans of both Superman and The Witcher wait to see what the future holds for these beloved characters, the saga of Henry Cavill’s departure from The Witcher serves as a reminder of how interconnected the world of entertainment can be. Whether it was Superman’s cape or Geralt’s sword, Cavill’s departure is sure to be debated for years to come.
