Henry Cavill’s The Witcher Was Almost a Movie—Here’s Why Netflix Said No

Before The Witcher became the global hit Netflix series we know today, it was originally conceived as a standalone film. However, Kelly Luegenbiehl, Netflix’s Vice President of International Originals, raised an important question during the early stages of the project: How can you take eight novels and just turn it into a film? There’s so much material here. Her concerns led to pivotal discussions that eventually shifted the direction of the adaptation from a movie to a long-form series, allowing for a deeper exploration of the rich source material written by Andrzej Sapkowski.

This insight proved to be crucial. The sprawling, complex narrative of The Witcher spans multiple books filled with intricate characters, historical backstory, and a multi-layered world, making it clear that a film could never do justice to the depth of Sapkowski’s creation. Instead, the decision was made to develop a series that would allow the story to unfold in greater detail, ensuring a more faithful and engaging adaptation.

In May 2017, Netflix officially announced the production of The Witcher as a television series. By December of that year, Lauren Schmidt Hissrich had been brought on as showrunner, bringing her vision to life. The series debuted on December 20, 2019, with its first season, which consisted of eight episodes based on the collections of short stories, The Last Wish and Sword of Destiny—two prequels to the main Witcher saga. These stories introduced audiences to Geralt of Rivia, the iconic monster hunter who would become a central figure in the series.

Henry Cavill was cast as Geralt in September 2018, bringing his dedication and passion for the character to the role. His portrayal, deeply rooted in the books and video games, helped solidify The Witcher as a hit. His commitment to the role won over fans, and he portrayed Geralt for the first three seasons. However, in October 2022, it was announced that Cavill would be replaced by Liam Hemsworth as Geralt starting with season four, marking a significant shift in the series’ future.

Since its debut, The Witcher has expanded far beyond the original television series. Animated films, such as The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf, have further fleshed out the universe, while the live-action prequel The Witcher: Blood Origin was released in 2022. In 2025, the upcoming The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep will continue to expand the story. These additional projects, alongside the main series, have created a vast multimedia franchise, with fans across the world eager to dive deeper into its mythical world.

The decision to transition The Witcher from a film into a series allowed for an unprecedented opportunity to delve into the rich, complex world Sapkowski created. This long-form approach provided the necessary space to explore character arcs, intertwining storylines, and world-building that were previously impossible to convey in a single film. As a result, The Witcher has become a cultural phenomenon, transcending the boundaries of television to captivate audiences worldwide.

Thanks to this shift in approach, The Witcher has not only found success on Netflix but has also opened the door for even more stories to be told within its universe, cementing its place as one of the most successful and expansive fantasy franchises of the modern era.