Netflix managed to get the chance to create something that has the potential to be a huge franchise but to the disappointment of "Witcher" fans, they failed to be true to the book. The book series' author further confirms that the showrunners don't care much about the source material.
Netflix Should Learn to Listen
Andrzej Sapkowski, the writer of the famous "Witcher" book series that spawned a video game and a TV show, said that the streaming giant didn't care much for his input when it came to the show. Sadly, this wasn't even the first instance that the issue has been brought up.
As the author appeared at a Comic Con, he expressed that he didn't care about Netflix expanding "The Witcher" universe beyond the live-action adaptation, adding that the royalties he gets are simply a welcomed perk to pay his rent, as reported by Gizmodo.
Sapkowski was asked about his contributions to the show other than the source material, to which he responded by saying that he gave them some ideas but they never listened to him. He even brushed it off saying "It's normal."
Jokingly, he imitated an executive on the show: "Who's this? It's a writer, it's nobody," showing how nonchalant the author is as Netflix botches its adaptation of his books. Others are not as forgiving as Sapkowski, especially fans and maybe even the protagonist himself.
Henry Cavill played the main character in the adaptation, Geralt, and fans showed their appreciation for the casting throughout the show. He was the perfect Witcher, which is why everyone was disappointed when news broke that he was leaving the show.
Not long after, rumors started circulating that the actor left due to "creative differences." It's no secret that Cavill was a huge fan of the books and the games, and he didn't appreciate that the showrunners were straying too far from the source material.
Since then, the show was already set to fail. Fans of the franchise say that they will no longer watch the show as Cavill won't play the role of Geralt anymore. He is to be replaced by Liam Hemsworth, who is known for his roles in "The Hunger Games" movies.
While Hemsworth is not at fault for Cavill's departure, fans are still not too fond of the actor. Of course, he has big shoes to fill and the "Superman" actor set the bar high. It doesn't bode well for him either that the fans already hate the showrunners of "The Witcher."
Read Also: 'The Witcher' Executive Producer Says Geralt, Vilgefortz Fight Was an Answer to a Plot Hole
More 'The Witcher' Content on Netflix
The streaming giant is true to their word when it comes to expanding the franchise beyond the base show. In fact, there have already been several shows based on "The Witcher," mainly functioning as prequels.
"The Witcher: Blood Origins" for instance, is set over a thousand years before the events of the base show. It tells the story of the events that led to the "Conjunction of the Spheres" as well as the creation of the first Witcher.
There's also "The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf," which tells the story of a young Vesemir, Geralt's mentor in the series. The animated show was actually praised by fans, but the same cannot be said with the live-action prequel, "Blood Origins."
Related: Netflix's Upcoming 'The Witcher' Animated Film Will Feature Geralt's Video Game Voice Actor
