Liam Hemsworth Replaces Henry Cavill, Avoids Social Media Amid 'The Witcher' Backlash

Liam Hemsworth confirmed he deliberately stepped away from social media and the internet for most of 2024 following the announcement that he would replace Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia in Netflix's "The Witcher." The actor cited the intense online backlash and distractions as reasons for his hiatus, emphasizing his desire to focus on storytelling without external pressures. Henry Cavill, who played Geralt for the first three seasons, supported the transition, describing Hemsworth as a "fantastic" choice and passing the role with respect. Showrunner Lauren Hissrich explained that Cavill's departure was mutual, motivated by his wishes to pursue other projects, making the recasting a symbiotic decision. Hemsworth acknowledged the challenge of filling Cavill's shoes but expressed enthusiasm for exploring new facets of the character in the upcoming fourth and fifth seasons, with Season 4 premiering on October 30. Co-stars and insiders have encouraged fans to give Hemsworth a chance, recognizing his commitment to bringing heart to the role amid the high expectations.