The Witcher Super Fan Henry Cavill Revealed The Only Thing About Geralt That Looked So “Ridiculous” He’s Glad They Changed It

Apart from his Superman role, Henry Cavill also earned quite a lot of accolades for playing Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’s The Witcher. So much so that in a candid chitchat, the actor shared a fun yet insightful aspect of his role. Known for his dedication to the character, Cavill revealed that there was one particular element of Geralt’s look that initially seemed off-putting to him.

Henry Cavill in The Witcher | Credits: Netflix

Fortunately, it was one detail that was ultimately changed before filming began. Fans of the show may be surprised by which part of Geralt’s iconic appearance Cavill found so ridiculous, especially considering how iconic the character has become.

How Henry Cavill brought Geralt’s depth to life in The Witcher

Back in 2020, Henry Cavill, a self-proclaimed superfan of The Witcher, opened up about the effort he put into playing Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’s hit fantasy series. Known for his dedication to the roles he takes on, Cavill approached Geralt with the same intensity he’s shown for characters like Superman.

Only this time, he had a personal connection as a fan of both the books by Andrzej Sapkowski and the video games.

Henry Cavill in The Witcher | Credits: Netflix

For the actor, it wasn’t just about looking the part. He dived deep into The Witcher lore to ensure his performance honored the beloved character. He even collaborated with the show’s team, offering suggestions to better align Geralt with the complex figure portrayed in the books.

However, one detail about Geralt’s appearance had to be changed during production: his iconic white hair. The actor explained via Vanity Fair:

He continued:

This small change might not seem like a big deal, but it shows how much Cavill cared about getting every detail right. His effort went beyond just how Geralt looked. Cavill worked hard to bring out Geralt’s serious personality and deep moral values on screen.

One of his biggest challenges was showing Geralt’s inner thoughts, which are a key part of the character in the books, without using words. Instead, Cavill used small expressions and body language to reveal Geralt’s hidden depth. It’s clear that sometimes, being a fan of the source material can make a character even better.

Why did Henry Cavill say goodbye to The Witcher?

Henry Cavill’s departure from Netflix’s The Witcher after three seasons shocked fans and sparked widespread speculation about his reasons. The actor, known for his passionate portrayal of Geralt of Rivia and his deep love for Andrzej Sapkowski’s original books, announced in October 2022 that he was stepping away, with Liam Hemsworth set to take up the mantle in Season 4.

Henry Cavill in The Witcher | Credits: Netflix

Cavill had been a driving force behind the show’s success, bringing his knowledge of the books and video games to the screen. However, creative differences appear to have played a role in his exit. The actor was quite vocal about his desire to see Geralt represented as a complex, intellectual, and book-accurate character, clashing at times with the showrunners’ vision.  

He often advocated for changes to dialogue and storytelling to better align with Sapkowski’s work. Former The Witcher writer Beau DeMayo also hinted at a disconnect between the creative team and the source material, claiming some writers “actively disliked the books and games.”

While this fueled fan theories, others believe Cavill’s demanding schedule influenced his decision. Regardless of the reason, the actor’s dedication to Geralt and his efforts to honor the character left a lasting impact. 

You can stream The Witcher on Netflix.