Netflix's The Witcher has taken off in a big way, and people are wondering what else can be expected from the show in the future, with speculation around aspects from both the books and games. One of these are the magical signs used by Geralt, and there's a good reason why fans can probably expect more of them in the future.
It wasn't long ago that the first eight episodes of The Witcher dropped, and it has already become one of the most popular (at least with audiences) Netflix shows in history. Fans are not the only ones excited about the show, however, as Witcher fervor seems to have swept the cast as well, star and actor playing Geralt of Rivia Henry Cavill included.
Henry Cavill has long been a lover of escapist gaming, and that includes The Witcher titles, particularly The Witcher 3, which is how he got his introduction to the series. As such, he is committed to keeping close to the lore of The Witcher as he knows it from the games, and this has included pushing for the magical signs that are integral to the games featuring more prominently in the show. The signs have been the centerpiece of some moments of the show, but if Cavil gets his way, it is possible that their importance will become much more of a focus.
The fact that a big fan of The Witcher games has such an influential role in the creation of the show, to the point he got to bring home props, means that there's a real chance the show could be more faithful than most adaptations. The show's popularity has already caused a lot of new players to pick up The Witcher 3, so the demands for authenticity will no doubt come pouring in both from within and without. The fact that Cavil sees the signs as integral to Geralt's identity as a Witcher, and a major part of his identity, no doubt rings true to many who have relied on them while playing the games.
This could prove detrimental to the series on a certain level, as there is a distinct cost associated with the CGI needed to bring the signs to the screen. It could also create some dissonance in a series based off the novels rather than the games they gave rise to. With a critical reception for The Witcher that can comfortably be called mixed, too drastic a shift could break the show for those still on the fence about its quality.
On the other hand, it could also be a major shift for the better, as accurate callbacks to a beloved aspect of a game can carry a lot of weight with fans. A successful integration of the game's lore could create a true and fascinating hybrid, succeeding where the games didn't in capturing the full story.
The Witcher's first eight episodes are currently available to stream on Netflix.
Source:Â GQ