A long-haired Liam Hemsworth treks through a foggy forest in the first-look teaser of the actor as the monster hunter Geralt of Rivia, a role played by Henry Cavill for the first three seasons of the popular Netflix show The Witcher.
Dropped by the streamer on Wednesday, the teaser shows Liam sport Geralt’s medallion Gwynbleidd and an all-black outfit.
“The journey continues. Here's your first look at Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher,” Netflix wrote alongside the teaser shared on X (formerly Twitter).
Liam resembles Cavill’s brawny appearance as Geralt. He walks through a murky forest with his horse Roach. At the end, a threat approaches in the form of a beast, which prompts Geralt to look back.
Cavill played the role of Geralt for the first three seasons of The Witcher. Hemsworth will play the role at least for the next two seasons, according to Netflix.
“As a Witcher fan, I’m over the moon about the opportunity to play Geralt of Rivia,” Liam said in a statement. “Henry Cavill has been an incredible Geralt, and I’m honored that he’s handing me the reins and allowing me to take up the White Wolf’s blades for the next chapter of his adventure. Henry, I’ve been a fan of yours for years and was inspired by what you brought to this beloved character. I may have some big boots to fill, but I’m truly excited to be stepping into The Witcher world,” he added.
“My journey as Geralt of Rivia has been filled with both monsters and adventures, and alas, I will be laying down my medallion and my swords for Season 4,” Cavill said in a statement in October 2022.
Cavill added that Liam will carry on with his legacy as the White Wolf. “As with the greatest of literary characters, I pass the torch with reverence for the time spent embodying Geralt and enthusiasm to see Liam’s take on this most fascinating and nuanced of men. Liam, good sir, this character has such a wonderful depth to him — enjoy diving in and seeing what you can find,” he added.
“The new season follows Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri, who are separated and traversing the war-ravaged Continent and its many demons. If they can embrace and lead the groups of misfits they find themselves in, they have a chance of surviving the baptism of fire — and finding one another again,” reads the official synopsis of the upcoming fourth season of the series.
Apart from Liam, The Matrix trilogy actor Laurence Fishburne is joining The Witcher as Regis, described as “a world-wise barber-surgeon with a mysterious past”. Sharlto Copley is set to join the cast as the infamous bounty hunter Leo Bonhart, James Purefoy as Emhyr’s court advisor and high-ranking spy Skellen, and Danny Woodburn as the dwarf Zoltan.
Liam, who is MCU star Chris Hemsworth’s brother, is known for his roles in The Hunger Games films, The Last Song, Independence Day: Resurgence, and Poker Face.