The notion of a Geralt recast instantly conjures images of Henry Cavill's departure from Netflix's The Witcher series, with Liam Hemsworth taking up the mantle. However, this was not the only instance where the iconic Witcher's portrayal was in jeopardy. Years ago, during the development of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, Doug Cockle, the renowned voice actor behind Geralt of Rivia in the game series, was almost replaced.

This little-known fact highlights that even the most beloved interpretations of Geralt have faced uncertainty, making Cavill's recasting not an isolated incident, but rather part of a larger trend.

Doug Cockle, the voice of Geralt of Rivia, recalled a time when CD Projekt Red considered replacing him for The Witcher 2. While speaking on Behind the Voice podcast, the star recalled how he received a phone call from a friend who had auditioned for the role, prompting Cockle to contact the studio. He offered to re-audition, unsure why they were recasting.

However, CD Projekt Red ultimately decided to retain Cockle as Geralt's voice. After re-examining his work from The Witcher 1, the vocal director invited him to return for The Witcher 2. "We would like you to come back," they said as reiterated by the star. Cockle's reprisal of the role served as a new lease of life to his iconic portrayal of Geralt, which has since become synonymous with the character.

3 Reasons Henry Cavill’s Replacement David Corenswet’s ‘Superman’ Might Work Better Than ‘The Witcher’ Actor

While Cockle managed to reclaim his role, it was not until weeks following the incident that he knew what they were seeking a recast for.

Doug Cockle revealed the reason behind his role being in question for The Witcher 2. He stated, "CD Projekt just wanted to go in a whole different direction," wanting to rethink everything." This change in direction led to a re-evaluation of his role as Geralt. Cockle initially recorded lines for the game before the decision was made.

Cockle admitted to feeling uncertain and self-doubting when he heard the news. However, he eventually learned that the decision had nothing to do with his acting, but rather the studio's desire for a new approach. His sheer confidence in his craft has him as serving the iconic Geralt of Rivia to this day, with fans awaiting the fourth installment of The Witcher game, code-named Polaris, following latest updates.

"NEVER BEEN MORE READY"- Fans’ Excitement Peaks as the First Glimpse of Ciri From The Witcher 4 Surfaces

What are your thoughts on Cockle's admission of the recast scare? Let us know in the comments below.