Henry Cavill’s Emotional Rollercoaster on ‘The Witcher’ Set
When one thinks of Henry Cavill, images of the heroic Superman or the brooding Geralt from The Witcher come to mind. But like any actor, Cavill is only human, and he has moments that shake him to his core. Notably, an incident with his Akita dog, Kal, on The Witcher’s set, and later disputes with the showrunners, show a side of Cavill that fans seldom see.
Man, Monster, and Man’s Best Friend
Henry Cavill’s relationship with his dog Kal is no secret. Named after Superman’s Kryptonian name, Kal has been a significant part of the actor’s life. Yet, during the filming of The Witcher’s first season, an unforeseen event sent Cavill’s world spinning.
“While we were preparing for the Selkiemore scene… Kal decided to chase a cat through the trailer,” Cavill reminisced at the Witcher-Con in 2021. An innocent play turned horrifying as Kal’s foot got caught in a gap on the trailer stairs. As the crew covered Cavill in prosthetics and yogurt for his next scene, where Geralt emerges from Selkimore’s insides, the actor was torn between his duty and his pet. With Kal’s claw almost torn off, urgent veterinary care was necessary. The dedication to his craft saw Cavill push forward with the scene, even as his heart ached with worry over Kal’s fate.
“The anesthesia for dogs… some don’t wake up,” Cavill shared, his voice filled with the harrowing memories of that day. The scene came to life, but behind Geralt’s fierce exterior was a man deeply concerned for his furry friend. Thankfully, Kal recovered and continues to be a social media sensation beside his master.
The Witcher: A Journey Fraught with Challenges
Henry Cavill’s Geralt became an icon for fans of The Witcher. Yet, the end of Season 3 marked the end of Cavill’s journey with the series. While many attributed this to his own decision, deeper layers of the story unveil a more complex narrative.
Cavill’s passion for The Witcher went beyond his role as Geralt. A self-proclaimed “Witcher-nerd”, the British actor frequently voiced concerns about the show deviating from its source material. Disagreements with the showrunner and frequent script alterations created a rift. “Cavill objected to the deviations, but his opinions were sidelined,” sources said. This dismissal of his inputs eventually led to his exit, marking an end to his era as Geralt.
However, as fate would have it, the series saw a decline in popularity after Cavill’s departure. Despite the introduction of Liam Hemsworth as the new Geralt, viewership plummeted. With the final two episodes of the third season ranking as the lowest in viewership, the blame was conveniently shifted to Cavill.
Yet, the underlying issue remains. The deviations from the original plot and the myriad sub-plots have left fans longing for the authentic Witcher experience. Only time will tell if Hemsworth can revitalize the show and bring it back to its former pinnacle of success.
What will the future hold for The Witcher? And for Cavill, as he continues to navigate his career, where will his next adventure take him? One thing is certain: wherever he goes, Kal will be right beside him.
