Liam Hemsworth replaces Henry Cavill in The Witcher season 4

One of the most popular Netflix shows, The Witcher, is undergoing a major change. In season 4, Henry Cavill will not be playing the titular character Geralt of Rivia. He announced on Instagram that Liam Hemsworth will be taking his place.

The surprise announcement has left many fans disappointed as Cavill's portrayal of the monster hunter was vital to the show.

He wrote on Instagram: "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. In my stead, the fantastic Mr Liam Hemsworth will be taking up the mantle of 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."

Hemsworth also confirmed the change on Instagram and wrote: "As a Witcher fan I'm over the moon about the opportunity to play Geralt of Rivia. Henry Cavill has been an incredible Geralt, and I'm honoured 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.

The Witcher is the screen adaptation of Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski's fantasy book series. The first season of the show aired in December 2019 and fans had to wait till December 2021 for a second season. The third season in which Cavill will be playing Geralt will be released in mid-2023. The production of the third season has already been wrapped up.

Cavill did not reveal what prompted him to leave the Netflix show but the decision comes right after he announced his official return as Superman for DC. His last appearance as Superman was in 2017 other than a cameo in Black Adam. Netizens suspect that a scheduling conflict is behind Netflix's loss. Many fans took to social media to express their disappointment and outrage. Most expressed a similar sentiment saying they wanted to see Henry Cavill as Superman again but not at the cost of losing him as Geralt of Rivia.