2s. “THIS IS NOT MY WITCHER!” — The Witcher author Andrzej Sapkowski CRITICIZED Netflix for making his Geralt look like a joke. Liam Hemsworth doesn’t have the soul of Geralt like Henry Cavill does. He just plays Geralt without the spirit of Geralt.2s

Andrzej Sapkowski, the Polish mastermind behind The Witcher saga, has unleashed a blistering critique on Netflix’s direction. “THIS IS NOT MY WITCHER!” he thundered in a recent October 2025 interview. The author zeroed in on Liam Hemsworth’s casting as Geralt for season 4. He accused the adaptation of turning his stoic monster slayer into a hollow caricature. Fans worldwide echoed his outrage online.

Sapkowski’s words cut deep during a Warsaw book signing event. He lamented Geralt’s loss of soul under Hemsworth’s portrayal. “Henry Cavill breathed life into the White Wolf,” he said firmly. Cavill’s departure after season 3 left a void Sapkowski deems unfillable. The writer’s frustration stems from years of adaptation disputes. Netflix’s choices, he claims, mock the novels’ depth.

Henry Cavill embodied Geralt with unmatched dedication and physicality. He trained relentlessly to master swordplay and horsemanship. Cavill studied the books, pushing for lore accuracy on set. His gravelly voice captured the Witcher’s weary wisdom perfectly. Fans praised his nuanced performance across three seasons. Sapkowski himself nodded approval in past interviews. Cavill’s exit shocked the fandom profoundly.

Liam Hemsworth, known for action roles in The Hunger Games, steps in amid controversy. Production photos reveal a bulkier, less weathered Geralt. Sapkowski criticized this as superficial muscle without inner turmoil. “He just plays Geralt without the spirit,” the author declared. Hemsworth’s charm feels mismatched to the mutant’s haunted eyes. Early trailers amplify these concerns dramatically.

The recasting followed Cavill’s alleged creative clashes with showrunners. Rumors swirled of script deviations from Sapkowski’s vision. Cavill reportedly fought for book fidelity until exhaustion. His departure statement cited scheduling, but insiders hint otherwise. Sapkowski views this as Netflix prioritizing ease over essence. The author’s bold statement reignites loyalty debates fiercely.

Geralt in the novels is a philosopher scarred by mutations and loss. He navigates moral gray areas with quiet intensity. Cavill portrayed this through subtle expressions and restrained dialogue. Hemsworth’s audition tapes, leaked online, show broader gestures. Sapkowski called it “acting without the weight of centuries.” Fans fear a lighter, less brooding Witcher ahead.

Netflix defended the change, citing Hemsworth’s star power and commitment. Showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich promised seamless transition in season 4. Yet, Sapkowski dismissed this as corporate spin. “Geralt isn’t a role for pretty faces,” he retorted sharply. The author’s rare public outburst signals deep discontent. Season 4 filming continues despite the backlash.

Social media erupted with #NotMyGeralt trending globally within hours. Petitions demand Cavill’s return, amassing millions of signatures. Polish fans rallied behind Sapkowski at local events. International viewers split between acceptance and boycott threats. Memes juxtaposed Cavill’s intensity with Hemsworth’s smiles. The controversy boosts buzz but divides the base.

Sapkowski’s critique extends beyond casting to narrative shifts. He slammed season 3’s pacing as rushed and incoherent. Key book events were altered or omitted entirely. Geralt’s relationship with Ciri lost emotional grounding. The author accused Netflix of chasing trends over substance. His words resonate with purists longing for fidelity.

Cavill’s preparation set a gold standard for adaptations. He learned Polish phrases to honor the source. Horseback scenes showcased his genuine skill and fearlessness. Makeup endured hours to perfect scars and white hair. Cavill’s advocacy influenced fight choreography profoundly. Hemsworth faces immense pressure to match this. Early reviews suggest he falls short critically.

The Witcher games by CD Projekt Red influenced Cavill deeply. He voiced admiration for their lore expansion publicly. Sapkowski, initially critical of the games, warmed over time. Cavill bridged books and games seamlessly on screen. Hemsworth lacks this gaming connection, per insiders. This gap widens the perceived soul deficiency.

Season 4 introduces new threats and allies from the books. Thanedd Coup looms as a pivotal arc. Sapkowski fears botched execution without Cavill’s gravitas. Geralt’s betrayal and injury demand raw vulnerability. Hemsworth’s lighter demeanor may undercut the tragedy. The author’s warning feels prophetic to many.

Netflix’s viewership dipped after season 3’s mixed reception. Cavill’s exit announcement triggered subscription cancellations. Sapkowski’s statement pours fuel on this fire. Marketing pivots to Hemsworth’s action-hero appeal. Yet, fans crave the brooding mutant Cavill perfected. The soul debate dominates pre-release discourse.

Sapkowski, now 77, reflects on his creation’s journey. He sold rights cheaply, regretting lost control forever. Past lawsuits against CD Projekt yielded millions. Netflix dealings remain tense but contractual. His critique serves as moral authority now. “Protect Geralt’s spirit,” he urges the team.

Hemsworth responded gracefully in a recent interview. “I respect Henry and the fans’ passion,” he said humbly. Training montages show his physical transformation underway. Sword work appears competent but lacks Cavill’s fluidity. Voice coaching aims for the iconic growl. Efforts are evident, yet spirit remains elusive.

The Witcher fandom fractures under this strain. Book loyalists side firmly with Sapkowski. Casual viewers embrace Hemsworth for fresh energy. Cosplayers debate costume accuracy in forums. Conventions feature heated panels on recasting ethics. Unity forged by Cavill now splinters painfully.

Sapkowski’s declaration echoes through adaptation history. Authors like Alan Moore disowned film versions similarly. His voice carries weight as the saga’s originator. Netflix may tweak season 4 in response quietly. Reshoots could deepen Hemsworth’s performance subtly. Damage control unfolds behind the scenes.

Ultimately, Geralt endures beyond any actor’s portrayal. Sapkowski’s world of monsters and destiny persists. Cavill’s legacy as the soulful Witcher remains untarnished. Hemsworth inherits a throne under siege. The author’s cry—”THIS IS NOT MY WITCHER!”—challenges all. Season 4 arrives in 2026 amid this storm. Fans await judgment with bated breath.

“Liam’s Geralt is like a husky and Henry is a wolf” Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin said of season 4 of The Witcher on Netflix.

As of November 9, 2025, Netflix’s The Witcher Season 4 has been streaming for just over a week, yet the fantasy epic continues to dominate conversations—not just for its high-stakes plot but for a bombshell commentary from none other than Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin.

In a recent post on his Not a Blog, Martin weighed in on the controversial recast, famously stating: “Liam’s Geralt is like a husky and Henry is a wolf.”

This vivid analogy captures the essence of the shift: Henry Cavill’s Geralt as the lone, ferocious predator—fierce, brooding, and untamed—versus Liam Hemsworth’s warmer, more approachable mutant, evoking a loyal husky with expressive eyes and a hint of playfulness amid the grit.

Martin’s words have sparked a firestorm, with fans dissecting whether this “domestication” honors Andrzej Sapkowski’s books or betrays the White Wolf’s savage core.

Released on October 30, 2025, Season 4 marks the penultimate chapter, adapting elements from Baptism of Fire and beyond. Geralt, recovering from Vilgefortz’s brutal assault, forms the “Hansa”—a motley crew including Laurence Fishburne’s charismatic vampire Regis, Sharlto Copley’s ruthless bounty hunter Leo Bonhart, and others—to rescue Ciri from the clutches of the Empire and rogue mages.

Yennefer rallies sorceresses at Aretuza, while Ciri joins the bandit group The Rats, grappling with her powers and identity in a Continent ravaged by war.

Hemsworth’s Geralt emerges more verbose and emotive, flashing rare smiles, dry humor, and vulnerability—traits showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich deliberately amplified to reflect his post-trauma growth.

Critics have noted this “softer” edge aligns closer to book Geralt’s witty banter, yet it starkly contrasts Cavill’s gravelly minimalism.

Martin’s husky-wolf comparison, dropped amid the season’s rollout, feels like a double-edged sword. As the architect of Westeros, Martin’s fantasy credentials lend weight, praising Hemsworth’s approachability while implicitly critiquing the loss of Cavill’s primal menace.

Fans on X erupted: one user quipped, “GRRM just ended the debate—Liam’s a good boy, Henry’s the alpha,” while another lamented, “From wolf to puppy? No thanks.”

This echoes broader sentiment, with some embracing the change as a “refresh” that humanizes Geralt.

Viewership tells a harsher tale. Season 4 debuted with a mere 7.4 million views in its first week—a staggering over 50% drop from Season 3’s 15.2 million and Season 2’s 18.5 million.

It trailed behind rom-com Nobody Wants This Season 2, signaling Cavill loyalists boycotting en masse. Samba TV reported U.S. households down 35% from Season 3’s premiere.

Rotten Tomatoes reflects the divide: critics at 58% (series low), audience score plummeting to 19% amid suspected review-bombing.

Outlets like The Guardian roasted Hemsworth as “as charismatic as a bollard in a wig,” faulting his mumbled grunts and lack of Cavill’s intensity.

Variety, however, hailed it an “upgrade,” praising tonal clarity and Hemsworth’s well-paced emotional arc.

Forbes called it “the good, the bad, and the Rats,” noting Hemsworth’s softer Geralt feels “off” but not outright bad.

Martin’s analogy amplifies this: a husky is strong, enduring, and affectionate—qualities shining in Hemsworth’s bonds with Regis or tender moments with Yennefer—yet lacks the wolf’s solitary ferocity that defined Cavill’s monster-slaying swagger.

Hissrich defended the evolution, saying scripts embraced Hemsworth’s natural Australian cadence for longer dialogues and wit, moving away from Cavill’s stoicism.

She reshot recaps with Hemsworth, framing the recast as a narrative “rebuild” post-injury.

Hemsworth admitted reluctance but poured himself into training—swords, horsemanship, wig fittings—avoiding imitation to forge his own path.

Anya Chalotra noted an “ease” with him, contrasting rumored tensions with Cavill.

On X, praise emerges sporadically: “Liam’s Geralt should’ve been from the start—more book-accurate humor,” or “He nailed the human side, better chemistry with Yen.”

Detractors dominate: “Liam looks adorable, Henry looked deadly,” or “Tried imitating Cavill and failed—cameo vibes.”

One viral thread lamented the “Let’s fucking move!” line as Navy SEAL, not Witcher.

Season 5, already filmed and wrapping principal photography in September 2025, promises an epic finale—potentially in 2026—with escalating threats like the Wild Hunt and family reunion.

Hissrich teases fidelity to Sapkowski’s ending, unpredictable twists.

Despite plummeting numbers—worst in franchise history—the back-to-back shoot ensures closure.

Spin-offs like The Rats: A Witcher Tale flopped off charts, hinting at dimmer future for the universe.

Martin’s husky remark, whether endorsement or subtle shade, crystallizes the schism. In a genre built on legacies, swapping a wolf for a husky risks alienating the pack.

Yet, as Geralt himself might grunt, destiny adapts. Hemsworth’s warmer White Wolf may not howl the same, but in Martin’s eyes—and a growing minority’s—he’s a faithful companion through the blizzard.

Whether this reinvention saves or dooms The Witcher remains the Continent’s greatest monster: fan division.

As Season 4 cliffhangers loom—Bonhart closing in, Nilfgaard rising—one truth endures: toss a coin to your Witcher, husky or wolf.