“Henry Cavill was the reason we got the goodness we did get”: Even After Lauren S. Hissrich’s Denial Fans Are Convinced The Witcher Writers Hate the Book and Games
Despite Lauren S. Hissrich’s earlier rebuttals, The Witcher fans still think the writers have been taking a wrecking ball to the original books and games!
Henry Cavill—who donned the white hair and brooding scowl as Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’s hit series, The Witcher—has chosen to hang up his sword and call it quits after Season 3. This news has shaken viewers, especially since many credit him as the series’ lifeblood. After all, critics and gamers alike had showered accolades upon the actor for his portrayal, praising his commitment to Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski’s original vision.
The crux of the drama? Cavill had a deep-seated loyalty to Sapkowski’s vision, and some fans feel the show’s writers and showrunner Lauren S. Hissrich have steered the story off its intended path.
Fans remain convinced that the writers have given the books and games the cold shoulder, despite Hissrich’s claims of sharing their deep affection for the source material.
The Witcher Showrunner’s Response to Criticism of the Writing Team
In 2022, Lauren S. Hissrich, the showrunner of The Witcher, took to Instagram, vehemently denying any bad blood in the writer’s room towards the beloved source material.
According to Eurogamer, this saga began after Beau DeMayo spilled the beans, claiming some writers were less than enchanted with Andrzej Sapkowski’s books and CD Projekt Red’s games. He even went as far as to say some of the crew were “actively mocking” the source material.
Hissrich, however, has been quick to clear the air, declaring on Instagram that she’s never mocked the books and that the writer’s room was a sanctuary of positivity and respect. “I’ve never mocked the books,” she asserted, adding:
The books are my entire livelihood. I have a great relationship with Mr. Sapkowski and writer’s rooms are sacred and safe and – more than anything – supportive spaces. Don’t believe everything you read.
She also gave a nod to DeMayo, despite their creative clash:
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But just when it seemed the drama was simmering down, Henry Cavill’s exit from the series stirred the pot once again. The actor, who had been a staunch champion of the source material, left fans guessing about the reasons behind his departure. Reports soon hinted that his decision to step away was tied to disagreements with the show’s direction.
Fan Frustrations With The Witcher’s Story Choices
Earlier, the author behind Netflix’s The Witcher franchise shed light on his frosty relationship with the streaming giant. Andrzej Sapkowski, the Polish fantasy maestro who penned the novels and inspired the games, has made it clear that Netflix hasn’t exactly rolled out the red carpet for his ideas.
At last year’s Vienna Comic-Con, Sapkowski was asked if he’d given any feedback to Netflix on their adaptation. With a chuckle, he replied (via THR):
Maybe, I gave them some ideas, but they never listened to me. But it’s normal.
He then put on a mock Netflix executive voice and added:
Who’s this? It’s a writer, it’s nobody. Ouch!
Netflix has stayed tight-lipped about Sapkowski’s jabs, but the The Witcher team has been riding a bumpy road with fans lately. They are still convinced that the show’s writers have been taking a flamethrower to the books and games. Despite Lauren S. Hissrich’s insistence that all is well, some fans are still obstinate that she and her team have been anything but faithful.
Let’s check some of the comments:
Lauren Hissrich loathed the material, the stories and setting, and also loathed the fans.
She made the Nilfgardians into literal “dickheads” and otherwise trashed the characters. She also pushed for actors and actresses who did not match the characters in the books.
Henry… pic.twitter.com/Ob08WT12lT
— Daddy Warpig (@DaddyWarpig) September 1, 2024
Lauren Hissrich loathed the material, the stories and setting, and also loathed the fans.
She made the Nilfgardians into literal “dickheads” and otherwise trashed the characters. She also pushed for actors and actresses who did not match the characters in the books.
Henry… pic.twitter.com/Ob08WT12lT
— Daddy Warpig (@DaddyWarpig) September 1, 2024
Lauren Hissrich loathed the material, the stories and setting, and also loathed the fans.
She made the Nilfgardians into literal “dickheads” and otherwise trashed the characters. She also pushed for actors and actresses who did not match the characters in the books.
Henry… pic.twitter.com/Ob08WT12lT
— Daddy Warpig (@DaddyWarpig) September 1, 2024
I didn’t even watch season 3, knowing it was going to be the last season with Cavil. I couldn’t bare to see how they destroyed Garalt.
— Luminaire (THAC0 gatekeeper) (@ChronoLuminaire) September 2, 2024
Perhaps studios need to stop hiring people who hate the material they're supposed to work with.
— Miguel Maruso (@miggymaru) September 2, 2024
