Netflix Pours a Fortune into The Witcher: Was It Worth It?
Years ago, Netflix attempted to challenge Game of Thrones’s throne with The Witcher. While its fantasy universe, strong cast, and high budget earned it a large fanbase, it failed to achieve the same level of popularity. Now, emerging figures reveal that the series has cost Netflix a fortune.
A Stunning Budget Spent on The Witcher
According to Redanian Intelligence, The Witcher Season 4 will be the most expensive season of the series, with a budget of $221 million. This figure equates to approximately $27 million per episode. While the first season cost $11.5 million per episode, this cost rose to around $22 million for seasons 2 and 3. Furthermore, the failed spin-off Blood Origin cost $51.5 million, and The Rats, which was canceled but later turned into a special, has already cost $20 million.
Netflix’s total spending on The Witcher, which began in 2019, has surpassed $720 million. Including anime spin-offs and the final season, this figure is projected to approach $1 billion. However, in exchange for all this investment, Netflix is left with the critically panned Blood Origin and the main series, which has seen viewership decline. The fact that the series will conclude with Season 5 casts a further shadow over this situation.
The biggest shock for the series was the departure of Henry Cavill. Cavill, who played Geralt of Rivia in the first three seasons, handed over the role to Liam Hemsworth starting in Season 4. This change sparked considerable controversy among fans. While Netflix is trying to keep the series afloat with this risky decision, Cavill’s absence could further weaken audience interest.
The Witcher Season 4 will premiere on October 30th. The story will focus on the divergent paths of Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri amidst the continent-wide war that unfolded after Season 3. Liam Hemsworth, Anya Chalotra, Freya Allan, and Joey Batey have joined the cast, along with newcomers like Laurence Fishburne and Sharlto Copley. But even with this strong cast, it’s still unclear whether the series will be able to justify Netflix’s multi-billion dollar investment.
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