Everything
The world of Henry Cavill seems to be a cesspool right now and the latest drama surrounding the British actor is that he, not the writers’ room, was the source of most of the drama that was happening behind the scenes on The Witcher set.
Let’s back it up a bit. First, there was his sudden aforementioned departure from The Witcher, a show he was instrumental in bringing to life. Then there was the well-received announcement that Cavill was going to return as Superman in what would have been Man of Steel 2.
Then just as quickly that red cape was snatched from his shoulders after it was announced James Gunn would be helming the “Snyderverse” incarnation of the DC experience and essentially reboot every storyline and character.
Turns out shit things do occur in threes – and in this instance we mean a bit shit for fans, not for Cavill – after an alleged transcript leak from Spotify’s Deux U podcast stated Cavill was apparently a total jerk at The Witcher.
A transcript of the Deuxmoi podcast reveals that Henry Cavill allegedly became “impossible” to work with for ‘The Witcher’:
“He would try to overrule her (female showrunner) […] Female writers and directors were suddenly completely ignored on set, unable to do their jobs.” pic.twitter.com/NgpQmKBhZS
— Pop Faction (@PopFactions) December 17, 2022
According to the leak, season two of The Witcher saw a shift in personality from Cavill who has been accused of deliberately sabotaging the work of the show’s female showrunner and female writers while filming. “He would try to overrule her (female showrunner),” the anonymous account states. “Female writers and directors were suddenly completely ignored on set, unable to do their jobs.”
It went on to say that Cavill would rewrite scenes without telling his colleagues, refused all romantic and shirtless scenes and “wanted complete control of storylines.” It goes on to talk about how Cavill bonded with one writer in particular – a male – who eventually was forced off the show after several HR complaints. (You can read a refresher on this particular detail, the showrunner and her response to Cavill leaving and accusations they didn’t respect the source material here.)
He also, it alleges, started to become increasingly misogynistic in parallel to an increasing obsession with gaming. To the point that it became clear that he had to depart the show.
Now. To be clear. This anonymous tip-off remains unconfirmed with no further statements released to confirm or deny the conversation took place. It’s also no secret that Cavill has always been a gamer – that’s how The Witcher became a reality. But it’s also not the first time Cavill has been associated with some questionable ideas when it comes to interactions with women.
Back in 2018, he gave an interview with GQ Australia that contained a fairly rubbish perspective of dating in the #metoo era.
“It’s very difficult to do that if there are certain rules in place. Because then it’s like: ‘Well, I don’t want to go up and talk to her, because I’m going to be called a rapist or something,” he told GQ. “So you’re like, ‘Forget it, I’m going to call an ex-girlfriend instead, and then just go back to a relationship, which never really worked’. But it’s way safer than casting myself into the fires of hell, because I’m someone in the public eye, and if I go and flirt with someone, then who knows what’s going to happen?”
Cavill issued an apology about the statement immediately after the interview was released.
While no statement from either Cavill’s team or those at The Witcher has been released regarding the accusations, Cavill seems to be determined to move on with his next project, yet another game-inspired series, Warhammer.
