Season 2 of Netflix fantasy series, The Witcher, returned this weekend with new monsters, characters, and threats. The monster-slaying witcher, bound by destiny to protect the Crown Princess Ciri (Freya Allen), is back on ‘the continent’ to tie up the unbearable cliff-hangers of season 1.
Based on fiction originating from Poland, the show has continued the franchise’ huge success of books and video games. Before last night’s season release, reporters caught up with the show’s protagonist, Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill), who is a big fan.
Acknowledging its huge fanbase, Cavill knew “there was a good chance that it would at least get watched. Even with knowing nothing, I thought 'we're in for a good chance here' and I absolutely love the IP (intellectual property) myself.”
As an avid gamer, Cavill enjoyed playing computer games before filming began, in an effort to get into the character of Geralt. However, the long running franchise has many fans who have a different mental image of the amber-eyed monster-hunter. Revealing a feeling of pressure, Cavill explains; “I wouldn't say a worry, but it's something one is very aware of, and it's also something one can't necessarily win because everyone's going to have a different mental image of Geralt.
“Some will be similar; some will be completely different from others. There's a huge spectrum there, and it's about landing in a place where I believe him to be. And of course, I have to fit within a showrunner's vision as well, so it's about finding that balance. It's not necessarily a worry or a pressure, but it's a responsibility to at least do justice to the character that's in the source material in the books.”
Meanwhile, action hero Cavill is currently a man – given the rumours circulating around a possible promotion to special agent: 007. Although the Superman actor I reluctant to let anything slip, with very preliminary conversations going on, “from what I’ve read. But I'd say any kind of more in-depth conversations are quite a bit further down the line.”
