The wild hunt is over, The Witcher is here
The first-ever WitcherCon has just concluded. If you missed the stream last July 10, fret not for the video is up on YouTube. And if you’re interested to know the latest on Geralt of Rivia, read on. We’re about to summarize what occurred at the virtual convention.
For those who may not know, The Witcher is a series of six fantasy novels and 15 short stories written by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. In 2007, it was adapted into an action role-playing video game developed by CD Projekt Red (CDPR), published by Atari. It has since become a bestselling game for its gaming mechanics, combat system, and mainly its lore and story.
Set in a medieval fantasy world called the Continent, the story follows Geralt of Rivia, one of a few traveling monster hunters who have been genetically enhanced and endowed with supernatural powers. These special people are known as Witchers.
In 2019, Netflix created an original series called The Witcher, based on the bestselling book series. This year, a conference was organized by Netflix and CDPR for The Witcher. Streamed globally via YouTube and Twitch, the event featured a number of interactive panels with the series’ talents, including Henry Cavill, Anya Chalotra, Freya Allan, Mimî M Khayisa, Paul Bullion, Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, and Declan de Barra.
Kicking off the program was a performance by Marcin Przybyłowicz and Percival, responsible for the epic sound design of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. They played “Silver for Monsters,” one of the most memorable tracks in the game.
CDPR business development director Rafal Jaki also discussed the Expanded Witcher Universe, taking a look at projects from comic books, and a new board game titled The Witcher Old World. There’s an augmented reality mobile game called The Witcher Monster Slayer explained by CDPR technical director Rafal Staszewski, and action figures discussed by CDPR e-commerce director Aleksandra Jarośkiewicz.
The much-awaited second season trailer was released. The show will premiere worldwide on Dec. 17 this year. Another big reveal is the new Witcher animated film titled The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf, a story revolving around Vesemir, the oldest and most experienced Witcher at Kaer Morhen, and the mentor of Geralt of Rivia. Wow, does the animation look fantastic, reminiscent of another Netflix hit Castlevania! The 2D film will be available on Netflix starting Aug. 23.
‘Vesemir is so integral to the story. In a season that is about Geralt becoming a father to Ciri, it felt so important to meet who his father figure was. And you end up with this multigenerational story because Vesemir and Ciri have a story as well.’
Each of the main cast was interviewed as well. Here are some of the highlights.
Lauren Schmidt Hissrich on the relationship between Geralt and Ciri
“At the end of season one, we have what I think is one of the sort of most emotional scenes that we’ve done, which is Geralt and Ciri finding each other after they’ve both been searching all season… It was really fun to start season two thinking about, well, they’re not a family yet. How do they grow to be one? What do you do if you are a person like Geralt, who has sworn he doesn’t need anyone in the world whatsoever? And then he’s presented with a girl who is now solely in his care. And we have Ciri, who’s used to being under the care of people but has basically been running from everyone for an entire season and now being told that this person is going to take care of you. And so, it was really fun to start season two kind of them a little uncertain about how to be with each other, and they have to really grow into that. We wanted to make sure that felt like an authentic relationship.”
Freya Allan on whether or not we are going to see Ciri in training sequences this season
“ was one of the things I was most excited about for season two, because I love doing all that. I love the stunt department. We have the best people involved, and they’re so much fun. But yes, Ciri begins training and it becomes one of her main kind of drives. She’s very determined, and she really wants to become a great fighter and become a Witcher.”
Anya Chalotra on her favorite things about her character Yennefer
“I’d have to say, where there’s a will, there’s a way with her. She is a survivor, and I love that about her. That would be my favorite. But there’s lots, there’s many traits I love. We’ve become quite similar. We form each other, I think.”
Henry Cavill on the journey of his character Geralt
“I played season one way deliberately, which was him out in the wilds and without the opportunity for vast swathes of dialogue. I thought it best to be the man who says less because that seems like he’s thinking more. But once you get into a scenario with Cirilla, and the Witchers and his home space and with those people who he already knows, I was of the opinion that you had to let him be verbose and be philosophical and speak more and be intellectual, because that's what he is. He's not just a big old white-haired brute.”
Lauren Schmidt Hissrich on new characters of season two
“There are so many characters we’re introducing in season two. We are getting to see Dijkstra for the first time and sort of the Redanian Kingdoms. I know a lot of fans are excited to meet Philippa for the first time, Codringher and Fenn, Rience, Nenneke. I would have to say Vesemir is the one I’m looking most forward to our audience meeting. Vesemir is so integral to the story that we’re telling this season. Obviously, we’re returning to Kaer Morhen for the first time, and in a season that is about Geralt becoming a father to Ciri, it felt so important to meet who his father figure was.”
“No one wants to suffer. But yet it is our lot. And some suffer more. Not necessarily by choice. The point is not the bearing of suffering. The point is how it is borne,” said Ciri from The Tower of Swallows. Fans, we can imagine, can now resonate with the quote considering the long wait before the second season of Witcher. But at least we know it’s on its way. The forthcoming anime feature was a big, but pleasant surprise too. While the boys can’t wait for more Witcher content, the girls are just thankful to Netflix for holding another CavilCon.