The Witcher Director Heaps Praise on Henry Cavill’s Commitment To The Production Following Series Exit.
Director Marc Jobst commends Henry Cavill’s commitment to The Witcher, affirming support for his exit choice and the show’s future.
Director Marc Jobst, known for his work on Netflix’s fantasy hit The Witcher, recently opened up about the departure of actor Henry Cavill from the show. Cavill’s portrayal of Geralt of Rivia had garnered a dedicated fan base, and the second half of The Witcher season three skyrocketed to the number one spot on Netflix’s Top 10, as viewers tuned in to witness his final performance in the role. As the curtains draw to a close on Cavill’s tenure, the torch is being passed to Liam Hemsworth, who has been announced as the new Geralt for the upcoming fourth season.
In an interview with Screen Rant, Jobst lauded Henry Cavill’s commitment and physical prowess in bringing Geralt to life. The director noted that Cavill’s dedication extended to performing all of his stunts, refusing to rely on stunt doubles even for seemingly minor actions like a hand holding a sword. Jobst emphasized that this level of involvement contributed to the quality of the show’s action sequences.
“Well, look, Henry has done three series, these are demanding shows to make, you know, they are huge. Henry does every single beat of his stunts, he won’t even allow a hand, if you’re doing a close up of a hand grabbing a sword, it has to be his hand.
So, normally, what you do is you bring in a double, Henry will go off and shoot some other scene in which he’s in somewhere else, and you get somebody else into the hand, so that you don’t have to bother your number one. Henry won’t do that, and as a result of that, the results are extraordinary. You’re working with an incredible athlete, first and foremost, who works out hours before, and hours after, you’ve been shooting for 12 hours, and who cares deeply about the work that he does.”
Henry Cavill’s Dedication Applauded by The Witcher Director
Reflecting on Henry Cavill’s departure from the show, Jobst expressed his understanding of the toll that intense involvement in the role can take on an actor, particularly as the lead. Having witnessed Cavill’s dedicated contribution across three series, he acknowledged that Cavill’s decision to step back was respected, considering his instrumental role in bringing the show to life.
“That’s draining on your number one, so after three series, I feel, ‘Okay, he’s brought the show into being, and if he feels like he’s done what he can, I trust him. That focus that he has, that desire to get it right, is a gift to work with, because it elevates everybody to say, ‘Good enough isn’t good enough. It’s got to be fantastic.’ We all want to work like that, we all don’t wanna make something that’s good, we want to make something incredible.”
In the third season of The Witcher, the narrative delves into the story of Geralt of Rivia’s determination to safeguard Ciri of Cintra from the grasp of rival monarchs, power-hungry sorcerers, and menacing creatures of the Continent. In their quest for safety, Geralt assumes the role of Ciri’s protector, driven by a commitment to ensure her well-being against all odds. Meanwhile, the mage Yennefer takes on the task of guiding Ciri in harnessing her magical abilities. Their journey takes them to the fortified sanctuary of Aretuza, where they face a perilous path obscured by political corruption and dark sorcery.
