The Original Geralt Has Spoken: Liam Hemsworth's Witcher Gets Surprising Praise
The original Geralt voice has thoughts. He missed Henry Cavill's portrayal. Yet, Liam Hemsworth won him over. Discover his surprising new verdict.
The man who gave Geralt of Rivia his voice in the beloved video games has weighed in on the live-action series' controversial casting change. Doug Cockle, a name synonymous with the monster-slayer for millions of gamers, admitted to feeling a sense of loss when Henry Cavill hung up his silver sword. He held Cavill's portrayal in high regard. However, after viewing the latest season, Cockle expressed that Liam Hemsworth has impressively risen to the challenge. He believes Hemsworth didn't try to mimic the previous performance but instead forged his own distinct and compelling version of the character, a move Cockle respects from one actor to another. This has left him genuinely excited for the show's fifth and final season.
Cockle's connection to the White Wolf is deep, stretching all the way back to the original 2007 game that launched the series into stardom. His gravelly tones have defined the character across a half-dozen titles, making his opinion particularly meaningful for the fanbase, even as they await news on the fourth installment of the game franchise.
The transition on the Netflix show marked a major turning point. Cavill, a passionate fan of the source material, embodied Geralt for three seasons before passing the torch to Hemsworth for the show's fourth outing. The switch generated immense debate and speculation among audiences worldwide.
Public and critical reception for the fourth season, and specifically for Hemsworth's debut, has been a mixed bag. While some have embraced the new direction, others have found the adjustment difficult, leading to a wide spectrum of reviews and online discussions about the show's quality.
The main fantasy series is confirmed to be drawing to a close with its upcoming fifth season, which is tentatively slated for a late 2026 premiere. While the live-action storyline will conclude, the Witcher universe is expected to live on through other projects. Animated features, like the recent "Sirens of the Deep," will likely continue to expand the lore, with Cockle probably reprising his iconic voice role for future installments.
For those curious to form their own opinion, the fourth season of The Witcher is available to stream now. With the series' end in sight, fans have plenty to discuss as they await the grand finale.
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