‘I Had Swords Everywhere’: How Henry Cavill Fought (Literally) to Become Geralt of Rivia

Henry Cavill’s commitment to landing the iconic role of Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’s The Witcher is nothing short of legendary. The British actor, known for his roles in Superman and Mission: Impossible – Fallout, revealed that he went to extraordinary lengths to secure the role of the brooding monster hunter from Andrzej Sapkowski’s beloved book series. In fact, Cavill’s pursuit of the role was so relentless that it even earned him a reputation for being “really annoying” to the show’s creator, Lauren Schmidt Hissrich.

The journey to landing Geralt began in 2017, when Netflix first announced the development of The Witcher. As soon as Cavill heard about the project, he made it clear that he was determined to be a part of it. Rather than waiting for the script to be finalized or for casting calls to be made, Cavill took matters into his own hands. He pushed his agents to set up a meeting with Hissrich to discuss the role of Geralt, even before the script was complete.

“It was something I wasn’t going to let pass me by without giving it my best shot,” Cavill said, as he reflected on his efforts in an interview with Vulture. “I annoyed my agents all the time. They said, ‘They’re not ready,’ but I kept pushing.”

His enthusiasm didn’t stop there. Already a fan of the Witcher game, Cavill took his commitment to the role to the next level by training tirelessly in sword fighting. He spent his free time outside of filming practicing with swords, ensuring that he was ready for the physically demanding role. “I spent all the free time when I wasn’t on set with a sword in my hand, getting used to the weight,” Cavill shared. “I had three swords where I lived and four at work. It was practice, practice, practice.”

Hissrich, the creator of The Witcher, also recounted the persistence that Cavill displayed in trying to secure the role. She remembered receiving constant requests from Cavill’s agents for a meeting, even though the show hadn’t been fully green-lit yet. “He was really annoying,” Hissrich admitted. “I finally said, ‘I will meet with you. The show is not green-lit. There is nothing.’ I said, ‘Thank you. Now I have to go write the show.’”

Despite the early challenges, Cavill’s passion and determination ultimately paid off. In 2018, he was officially announced as the lead for The Witcher, and his portrayal of Geralt over the next three seasons became a fan-favorite. His dedication to the character, as well as his personal investment in the role, earned him widespread praise.

However, in October 2022, it was announced that Cavill would be departing from the series, with Liam Hemsworth stepping in to take over as Geralt in the upcoming seasons. While the change shocked many fans, it remains clear that Cavill’s impact on the series has been profound.

As for the future of The Witcher, fans can look forward to the fourth season, which is expected to be released sometime in the second half of 2025. Whether or not Cavill will make a return in any capacity remains to be seen, but his memorable portrayal of Geralt has undoubtedly set the standard for what is to come.