First look at Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’s The Witcher (UPDATED)

Game of Thrones is almost over, and networks and streaming services are readying an array of high fantasy shows to fill the hole the ending will leave in our hearts. One of those shows is The Witcher, Netflix’s adaptation of author Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels about a preternaturally skilled demon-hunter, or “witcher,” named Geralt of Rivia. Most people probably know about Geralt from the popular video games from CD Projekt Red, however much Sapokowski whines that his books made the games successful.

Anyway, Netflix is pretty deep into production by this point. It’s already cast some series regulars and showrunner Lauren S. Hissrich regularly shares regular updates on her Twitter. Henry Cavill, aka the guy who’s played superman on the big screen for the last five years, is playing Geralt. Today, Netflix showed us what he’ll look like:

Man, they’re even further along than I thought.

Cavill wears Geralt’s trademark long white hair pretty well, although he hasn’t got Geralt’s beard. Hopefully that’ll be added there. Cavill’s been a fan of the video games for a while, and has read the books, as well. And he’s British, which is basically required if you’re in a fantasy show.

I think this could turn out well! What do you all make of Cavill’s transformation?

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UPDATE: In addition to the Cavill, The Wertzone posted a list of all the cast members on the show:

• Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia
• Frey Allan as Ciri
• Any Chalotra as Yennefer
• Jodhi May as Calanthe
• Bjorn Hlynur Haraldsson as Eist
• Adam Levy as Mousesack
• MyAnna Buring as Tissaia
• Mimi Ndiweni as Fringilla
• Therica Wilson-Read as Sabrina
• Millie Brady as Renfri
• Eamon Farren as Cahir
• Joey Batey as Jaskier (aka Dandelion)
• Lars Mikkelsen as Stregobor
• Royce Pierreson as Istredd
• Maciej Musial as Sir Lazlo
• Wilson Radjou-Pujalte as Dara
• Anna Shaffer as Triss
• Rebecca Benson as Marilka
• Shane Attwool as Nohorn
• Luke Neal as Vyr
• Matthew Neal as Nimir
• Tobi Bamtefa as Danek
• Sonny Serkis as Martin
• Roderick Hill as Fletcher
• Inge Beckmann as Aridea
• Charlotte O’Leary as Tiffania
• Natasha Culzac as Toruviel
• Amit Shah as Torque
• Tom Canton as Filavandrel

And because I find this hilarious, there’s been a new development in the ongoing saga of Witcher author Andrzej Sapkowski being adorably cantankerous. We already mentioned that the 70-year-old Sapkowski believes, bafflingly, that his books are responsible for the success of CD Projekt Red’s Witcher video games, rather than the other way around. Somewhat contradictorily, Sapkowski is also suing CD Projekt for a bigger share of its profits. He sold the game rights to his books years ago for a lump sum, electing not to accept royalty payments because he didn’t think the games would he successful. He missed the boat on that one.

Enter Dmitry Glukhovsky, the Russian author behind the science fiction-focused Metro 2033 novels, now adapted as a series of video games by developer 4A Games. He called Sapkowski an “old fool” and an “ungrateful schmuck” in a recent interview with DTF, which I’m sure means something else in Russian:

"Without the gaming franchise, the Witcher series would never get this crazy international readership that it has. And it’s not just about the gamers but the gaming press and the buzz it creates, and just the feeling of something great and massive and impressive coming out. This got people hooked. [Sapkowski] would remain a local Eastern European phenomenon without this, but he would never break into the West. And the same goes for my Metro books."

Glukhovsky even wonders if Sapkowski’s legal action against CD Projekt could backfire and give Netflix cold feet about its Witcher series. “He is just an elderly man,” said Glukhovsky. “He missed his chance, and well, what can you do?” It doesn’t look like Netflix is phased, but I doubt the streamer will trot out Sapkowski to rep the series in the same way that HBO involved George R.R. Martin when it adapted Game of Thrones. Sapkowski sounds a good deal less lovable.

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h/t VGR