Few things are as divisive in the world of fandom as the issue of recasting beloved characters in the middle of a series. It’s easy to see why this would be the case, as fans often invest a great deal of emotional energy into a particular actor’s portrayal of a character. It can thus be jarring and unpleasant to see them abruptly change from one film or TV season to the next.
While some franchises are able to accomplish this with at least a little bit of grace – and sometimes a sense of humor – others have proven far more controversial. Sometimes, it seems, it’s better just to let a franchise end rather than to try to persevere with a different actor. Without further pontification, let’s run through some of the most controversial recastings of all time.
In its first three seasons, The Witcher has repeatedly demonstrated the extent to which it is one of the most successful series on Netflix. In large part, this can be attributed to the phenomenal screen presence of Henry Cavill, who manages to imbue the character with both a handsome charisma and a world-weary cynicism. In the eyes of many, Geralt – even more than Superman – is the role Cavill was truly born to play.
