The Witcher netflix series

[Chopper Face]

I had no idea there was so much behind the scenes shenanigans going on. I just thought it was a mediocre show made passable by Cavill’s involvement. Season 2 was definitely a harder pill to swallow than the first though.
If Cavill’s out, I’m out and I assume a hefty portion of the audience will do the same. At least we have our Man of Steel back.

 

[chrisstbh]

I'm not familiar with the books or games, but the second season definitely felt like a downgrade to me. And honestly, three seasons of this show was about all I was really good for anyway. Lol

Even the first Season was a downgrade, Cavill and his passion was the only thing holding this together; without him it's doomed.

You cant recast your main character 4 seasons in.

 

[R_R_X]

I love the show, and the games, and the books. Things are allowed to change in the jump from one type of media to the next, being too precious about source material can be detrimental from a creator & consumer point of view.

If it is because of DC, I can’t believe we lose Cavill in a trade off for another mediocre superman film. They should just start from scratch than try to redeem the formerly Snyderverse, it was never going to be a good series’s of films.

I'm fine with deviations from the source material as long as it's pulled off well and enhances what's already there but unfortunately that's rarely the case take Game of Thrones for example but the issue with The Witcher isn't that the writers want to deviate from the source material in order enhance it, the issue with the show is the writers are actively going out of their way to destroy said source material and now we have clear confirmation of why from a former writer, they HATE the books and games, I don't know why on earth they have a room full of writers who detest the thing they're adapting but clearly whatever they did for season 3 isn't very good if it caused Henry Cavill, massive Witcher nerd who championed for the role of Geralt which was his dream role, tried to convince the writers numerous times to stay faithful to the books, rewrote some of his scenes in order to saty true to the character of Geralt and was said to be a "walking Witcher encyplodia" on set, to walk out on the show.

And I'm happy he's back as Superman I think he feels happier in that role and I hope DC gets their **** together and gives him a proper sequel.

 

[e30ernest]

This does not bode well for this series. I'm keeping an open mind towards Liam, maybe he'll approach the role with a similar passion to Henry. I am not keeping my hopes up though.

 

[Stryker2011]

After reading the books, I honestly hated everything about this crap show from start to finish aside from Henry. Stopped watching after season 1 and refused to renew my Netflix subscription (but not because of this show, but the general overall direction of every piece of garbage put out by the worthless trash in Hollywood over the last 20 years, that only got exponentially worse over the last 5). At this point, I honestly wouldn‘t care if Hollywood stopped making movies and TV shows altogether; 99% of their output is ****.

 

[Nagoya]

I’m curious for those who are still waiting for this figure—does knowing that Cavill will be leaving the role affect your decision to keep your order for it?

 

[R_R_X]

I’m curious for those who are still waiting for this figure—does knowing that Cavill will be leaving the role affect your decision to keep your order for it?

I want it even more now since I doubt we're ever gonna get another 1/6 figure of Henry as Geralt.

 

[Luisenigma1]

I want it even more now since I doubt we're ever gonna get another 1/6 figure of Henry as Geralt.

That's my thought also unless BuzzToys wants to make his S2 armor but that might be highly unlikely given that his S1 armor has better look.

 

[R_R_X]

That's my thought also unless BuzzToys wants to make his S2 armor but that might be highly unlikely given that his S1 armor has better look.

I don't think it's going to happen unfortunately, the main guy working on this has so much going on and these news definitely won't help the case for a second season figure I wonder if there will be too many cancellations or more people will want it now.

 

[Luisenigma1]

I don't think it's going to happen unfortunately, the main guy working on this has so much going on and these news definitely won't help the case for a second season figure I wonder if there will be too many cancellations or more people will want it now.

I'd see it as more as it will be in high demand, off the strength that Henry will no longer play Geralt of Rivia. That being said it really does show how inept some of these writers and directors can be, they rather **** up worthless media with their own political or stupid views and hammer us with it rather then actually trying to put good entertainment out for us. There are still good directors and writers out there but they are denied from giving their best work.

 

[MeatHookGekko]

The first season was OK, but there was a lot I didn't like..

The time jumps and the pilot was too overly complex in S1.

Did it pay off? Yes, if you watched the season long arcs twice. And you can't rely on your audience watching your show twice.

I really don't know what they were doing in S2, it had less and less actual Witcher. Maybe the pandemic was a big part of that too. Lots of shows suffered as such.

Not sure how one can screw this all up. There is already base material that exists that people love and there is an already built in fanbase. It's clearly getting budgetary support on the level needed to make a good show, and they have ( or had) a big enough star to headline some general interest. ( Who are we kidding, lots of women were going to watch to see Cavill shirtless)

Maybe Liam Hemsworth and his version will be better. Bizarrely, I really liked the TV series version of Jack Reacher. It wasn't perfect, but it was well done beyond anyone's expectations. So it's not outside the realm of possibility that a character change might relieve some of the pressure on this show. ( Getting away from Tom Cruise probably helped Reacher in terms of doing things just to fit Cruise and his brand)

But honestly, how do you screw up a show where the source material, extensive at that, already exists and has proven to win over a large audience.

 

[JorjeCroft]

I’m curious for those who are still waiting for this figure—does knowing that Cavill will be leaving the role affect your decision to keep your order for it?

Is this a serious question or are u joking?

 

[chrisstbh]

Netflix should soon realise that they need Cavill more than he needs their paycheck.

Maybe they should hire writers that actually like and care about the franchise to adapt it. But that might be a crazy take.

 

[Nagoya]

Um, serious question.

With S2 being neigh unwatchable and S3 probably faring worse since Cavill decided against staying, I'm personally and legitimately intrigued, as someone fairly new to this hobby, if the general consensus among collectors is whether they see it as "The likeness is neat, but 2/3rds of Netflix Witcher was The Last Airbender of book adaptions and purchasing memorabilia--whose likeness is incredible despite the medium barely representing the source content--would make me feel depressed and regretful" or "The role is iconic, albeit short-lived, and therefore the figure a must-have", which seems to be the option more agreed upon.

 

[Sidewinder]

Has a show ever worked out when the main character was recast after 3 years? Such a terrible idea. Might as well finish the show after season 3, the second season was horrible anyway

 

[spaceghost2000]

I'm fine with deviations from the source material as long as it's pulled off well and enhances what's already there but unfortunately that's rarely the case take Game of Thrones for example but the issue with The Witcher isn't that the writers want to deviate from the source material in order enhance it, the issue with the show is the writers are actively going out of their way to destroy said source material and now we have clear confirmation of why from a former writer, they HATE the books and games, I don't know why on earth they have a room full of writers who detest the thing they're adapting but clearly whatever they did for season 3 isn't very good if it caused Henry Cavill, massive Witcher nerd who championed for the role of Geralt which was his dream role, tried to convince the writers numerous times to stay faithful to the books, rewrote some of his scenes in order to saty true to the character of Geralt and was said to be a "walking Witcher encyplodia" on set, to walk out on the show.

And I'm happy he's back as Superman I think he feels happier in that role and I hope DC gets their **** together and gives him a proper sequel.

You’ve got to consider the source.
This writer said “I’ve been on show – namely Witcher – where some of the writers were not [fans] or actively disliked the books and games (even actively mocking the source material)”, DeMayo said. “It’s a recipe for disaster and bad morale. Fandom as a litmus test checks egos, and makes all the long nights worth it. You have to respect the work before you’re allowed to add to its legacy.”

This same writer is also credited as having written the episode with Eskel’s story being changed.

You also have a second writer dropping hints that the first one was fired for being physically and mentally abusive. That puts into question whether the first quote is all that truthful, a bitter former employee can bad mouth the production he’s no longer a part of.


Even if there is some truth to it (from the fired writer’s perspective), let’s reflect on these comments from the showrunner.

Back in 2020, Lauren Hissrich commented on her philosophy of hiring the writers for the show and why there was a need to hire both fans and people, who are distant from the source material.

“When writing an adaptation, are the best writers always the ones most familiar with the world?”, she stated. “Yes. And equally importantly, no.”
She continued: “Let me back up. When you write an adaptation, you have to be familiar with the original work. Yes. Of course. The writers and staff on The Witcher had to read all of the books, and had to appreciate/enjoy the genre. But I specifically didn’t seek out ten Sapkowski scholars.”

It’s important to have voices among the writers who can be critical, that can acknowledge flaws in the source material. There’s no point having a writers room full of people who all have the same opinions.
There’ll be some in the room who love the source, some who just like it, some who don’t like it, but they’ve all read it and appreciate it. They’re not destroying the source material, that will always exist unaffected, infact I’d argue it’s increasing appreciation for it, book sales increased a huge amount from the tv show viewers wanting to immerse themselves in more of that universe.
Letting go of the idea that the ‘adaptation’ has to be a 1-1 translation is important to be able to enjoy it. And though people **** on season 2, it’s pretty consistently reviewed better than the first.

 

[Luisenigma1]

You’ve got to consider the source.
This writer said “I’ve been on show – namely Witcher – where some of the writers were not [fans] or actively disliked the books and games (even actively mocking the source material)”, DeMayo said. “It’s a recipe for disaster and bad morale. Fandom as a litmus test checks egos, and makes all the long nights worth it. You have to respect the work before you’re allowed to add to its legacy.”

This same writer is also credited as having written the episode with Eskel’s story being changed.

You also have a second writer dropping hints that the first one was fired for being physically and mentally abusive. That puts into question whether the first quote is all that truthful, a bitter former employee can bad mouth the production he’s no longer a part of.


Even if there is some truth to it (from the fired writer’s perspective), let’s reflect on these comments from the showrunner.

Back in 2020, Lauren Hissrich commented on her philosophy of hiring the writers for the show and why there was a need to hire both fans and people, who are distant from the source material.

“When writing an adaptation, are the best writers always the ones most familiar with the world?”, she stated. “Yes. And equally importantly, no.”
She continued: “Let me back up. When you write an adaptation, you have to be familiar with the original work. Yes. Of course. The writers and staff on The Witcher had to read all of the books, and had to appreciate/enjoy the genre. But I specifically didn’t seek out ten Sapkowski scholars.”

It’s important to have voices among the writers who can be critical, that can acknowledge flaws in the source material. There’s no point having a writers room full of people who all have the same opinions.
There’ll be some in the room who love the source, some who just like it, some who don’t like it, but they’ve all read it and appreciate it. They’re not destroying the source material, that will always exist unaffected, infact I’d argue it’s increasing appreciation for it, book sales increased a huge amount from the tv show viewers wanting to immerse themselves in more of that universe.
Letting go of the idea that the ‘adaptation’ has to be a 1-1 translation is important to be able to enjoy it. And though people **** on season 2, it’s pretty consistently reviewed better than the first.

There are no flaws in the source material. Lmao jesus the blind faith in a bunch of hacks is staggering. To me it's the same as GOT being praised the first seasons for being respectful to the source material while changing a few slight differences albeit how a character looks compared to the books (not talking about skin color just small minot details) and certain events not making it in, but up until it was ruin in the last seasons because they didn't have material, and made up their own ****. What's funny that you mentioned there is no point for a writers room to have everyone with the same opinion, but the one writer is literally claiming everyone and that probably may or may not include himself, hated the source material. There is a difference in respecting the IP and not giving it any. They cast the wrong people in certain roles (Yen, Triss, Frangila, King Foltest etc) The story was a mess and didn't connect properly, ruining what the books already established perfectly well. The story for S1, and relationships between Geralt and other characters were either not developed well enough like they were in the source material. Some characters didn't act like they did in the books. You can try to excuse all of that and say if it's exactly the same as the books it's a problem. But honestly how many people are actually fans of these books. You have a wider audience I rather they get an actual adaptation of the books then giving them a skewed prospective of it. The books is what makes the world great but the real champion of bringing them into the wider world is the games. Knowing that I wished we gotten people just as passionate as Henry because you'll soon see how bad things will get after the fact they just lost their main actor.

 

[DiostaR]

Cheer up bud at least there wont' be a reason to keep watching this mediocre show now! Plus the games are still and were and will always be superior and there's also the remake of the first one coming as well as the new game trilogy so Witcher fans still have cool things to look forward to.

I'm so happy to see the show slowly crumble...

 

[DiostaR]

Wow I've been out and come back to these shocking news!

Firstly, Henry was an amazing Geralt and for me pretty much the only redeeming thing about the show, his clear passion for the The Witcher books and games was the glue that was holding this mess of an adaptation together, I remember when he mentioned in an interview he convinced the writers to change Roach's death scene in the second season which was originally meant to be a comedic moment... He also talked numerous times about wanting to respect the source material because he is a fan and he knows fans like him are watching in the hopes they see a good adaptation, season 2 already proved that a "good" adaptation is not in the cards for this.

Him reprising his role as Superman definitely played a part in this but I believe it mostly came down to the fact the writers working on The Witcher show despise the books and games as it's been officialy confirmed by a former writer who worked on the show, I've no doubt Henry could've juggled Witcher and DC with Netflix even delaying the show to wait for him, the fact that it seems like that might not even have been discussed makes it pretty clear to me that Henry himself ultimately made the decision to leave and I don't blame, the show feels cheap, most characters are horribly miscast and I never felt chemistry between Geralt and Yen nor the family dynamic they are supposed to have with Ciri from the few scenes they had together, that dynamic is supposed to be the heart of the whole franchise and it just doesn't work with the 3 actors.

Liam Hemsworth is in a tough spot, I don't wish him ill but I never found him a good or captivating actor he certainly doesn't have the charisma and gravitas Cavill has and even without the comparasion I find him a horrible casting choice for Geralt but I suppose Netflix and the writers want to keep the tradition of horrible castings.

All in all it sucks Henry is gone but I'm not too heartbroken since the show itself has never been that good, Netflix should've just cut their losses and cancelled it or made a deal to close everything out with a small run of episodes or a movie with Cavill because this will crash and burn after he is gone and it's only right after hearing about how the creative team has zero respect for the source material and us and Henry, actual fans who just wanted this to be good.

You said it all.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Andor writers approach the show as writers and not huge Star Wars fans and the show is absolutely amazing as a result.

With Witcher, it never reached the heights it could have, and this latest travesty is a huge mistake, no matter how they dress it up.