The Biggest Difference Between Liam Hemsworth’s Geralt And Henry Cavill’s

The Witcher season 4’s first official clip has revealed the biggest difference between Henry Cavill’s version of Geralt of Rivia and Liam Hemsworth’s. Though Netflix’s adaptation of The Witcher has been fairly hit-or-miss, the one thing fans agreed on was the choice to cast Henry Cavill in the titular role.

Despite Cavill’s abrupt and disappointing departure after season 3, Netflix decided to renew The Witcher for two more outings, casting a new, and perhaps surprising face as the lead: Liam Hemsworth, star of The Hunger Games franchise. Though Hemsworth’s casting proved to be controversial, we now finally have our first official look at the Australian actor in the lead role, as he takes on a dangerously terrifying wraith.

While the short clip features the same level of action and magical trickery we’ve come to expect from Netflix’s adaptation of The Witcher, it does reveal one glaringly obvious difference between Hemsworth’s portrayal and Cavill’s. Unfortunately, that difference might just be one of the biggest hurdles the show and its audience will have to overcome during The Witcher‘s final two seasons.

Liam Hemsworth’s Geralt Voice Is The Biggest Difference From Henry Cavill’s Version

At the start of the official clip, Geralt says, “It’s a wraith, stand back. With these words, your mortal shell shall meet my fate in fiery hell.” It’s the first time we’ve heard Hemsworth’s voice as Geralt, and in some ways, it’s a shock to the system. Every person’s voice is unique, of course, and Hemsworth’s was never going to match Cavill’s exactly.

And yet, the timber of a character’s voice, their accent, the speed with which they speak, their intonation, all of those things combine to give viewers a better understanding of a character. Even in this admittedly brief sample, Hemsworth’s voice sounds lighter than Cavill’s. It’s less gritty, less commanding, and for a character like this, who is meant to be both feared and revered, that might create an issue.

Henry Cavill’s Geralt Voice Was A Deifying Trait Of His Version Of The Character

Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia looking up with mountains behind him in The Witcher

Geralt of Rivia has had numerous voices over the years, with each version bringing something new to the character. The original Polish version is quite different from American voice actor Doug Cockle’s dub, for instance. The Polish version’s pronunciation is sharper, while Cockle’s interpretation feels darker, more dangerous.

Cavill’s, in turn, was somewhat based on Cockle’s version, featuring that deep, almost otherworldly rumble that helped make Netflix’s The Witcher such a rousing success, despite the show’s deviation from the source material. Cavill’s Geralt voice became an inextricable, iconic part of his character. Will we be able to say the same for Hemsworth’s? Based on Netflix’s clip, I’m not convinced.

Liam Hemsworth Looks Great As Geralt, But It Will Take Us A While To Get Used To It

Liam Hemsworth as Geralt in The Witcher season 4 as seen from behind

The full scene featured in The Witcher season 4 clip, overall, seems relatively promising. Hemsworth certainly looks the part, and the action sequence, even out of context, looks dynamic and interesting. What’s not to like about Geralt of Rivia swinging his sword at a violent wraith?

It’s impossible to predict how Hemsworth will fare in the role based on a one-minute clip, of course, and the actor may yet surprise us all. That doesn’t mean it’ll be easy to forget what the show lost, however, especially when the main character is such a major part of The Witcher‘s worldbuilding and legacy.

The Witcher season 4 premieres on Netflix on October 30.