Overview

• Release Date: August 23rd, 2021 (MN Pacific Time / 3AM Eastern Time / 8AM British Time / 9AM Central European Time)

• Animation: A Netflix movie done in collaboration with Studio Mir (The Legend of Korra, The Boondocks, Dota: Dragon's Blood). The animation will be in 2D, with some sceneries in 3D.

• Length: 1h21m

• Timeline: 1165 when Vesemir is adult (98 years before the show), and 1100 when Vesemir is a child (163 years before the show)

• Writer: Beau de Mayo (writer of episodes 103 and 202 of the show)

• Composer: Brian d'Oliveira

• Director: Kwang II Han

• Producers: Lauren Schmidt Hissrich (showrunner of the show), Go Un Choi

A movie about young Vesemir

Who is Vesemir?

Long before Geralt, there was his mentor Vesemir, a swashbuckling young witcher who escaped a life of poverty to slay monsters for coin.

Vesemir begins his own journey as a witcher after the mysterious Deglan claims him through the Law of Surprise.

What is the movie about?

When a strange new monster begins terrorizing a politically-fraught kingdom, Vesemir finds himself on a frightening adventure that forces him to confront the demons of his past.

The movie will show how magic was used to create witchers in the first place, but more importantly how the relationship between mages and witchers became poisoned years after, and why they don't always get along now.

We also know that the movie will feature the sack of Kaer Morhen.

And a few surprises...

Something ancient dwells in the shadowy woods...The journey to Kaer Morhen is a treacherous one. Luckily, witchers know these roads and every tree, rock face, and ravine that surrons them. But they don't own them - a fact that this forest dweller likes to remind travelers of.

The voice cast

Theo James - Vesemir

Vesemir is a headstrong young witcher who relishes his job and the earthly benefits he reaps in doing what others can’t or won’t.

The role of witcher chief was never one that Vesemir envisioned for himself, but it was a role he was forced to grow into when all that he knew and loved was threatened.

Graham McTavish - Deglan

Deglan was raised on the harsh, unforgiving Skellige Isles and is the hardened warrior-leader of the witchers. He is fiercely loyal to his “boys”, and committed to doing whatever is necessary to protect them.

Mary McDonnell - Lady Zerbst

Lady Zerbst is a Kaedwen noblewoman who inherited her husband’s seat on the king’s advisory council after his death. She has since risen to become one of the king’s most trusted advisors, and a fierce supporter of the witchers.

Lara Pulver - Tetra

Tetra Gilcrest is a powerful sorceress who is descended from one of the Continent’s first mages, and believes magic connects all things of beauty. She and her followers work to keep peace on the Continent by ensuring that magic is not abused.

Tom Canton - Filavandrel

Reprising the character we know from "Four Marks", in Season 1, the movie will also have Tom Canton voicing Filavandrel. He is the King of Elves, and the fierce leader of the Scoai'tael.

Matthew Yang King - Luka

Luka realized early on that the witcher life wasn't for him, but he learned to appreciate the more pleasurable aspects of it, especially alongisde his brethren.

David Errigo Jr. - Young Vesemir

Vesemir grew up as a servant on a nobleman’s estate, working long days for too little coin. He yearns to break free of his social standing and to explore the Continent to find his destiny.

Tie-ins with Season 1 and 2

Nightmare of the Wolf will be released between the first and second season of The Witcher, and it's very probable that the movie will reference S1 & S2, and conversely.

In season 1, the last episode features a scene where we can see young Vesemir (already voiced by Theo James) finding young Geralt:

In season 2, Vesemir is already the very old witcher chief we know from the books and The Witcher games. He is played by Kim Bodnia.

The movie, obviously canon to the show's lore, will be important as a transition between Season 1 and Season 2, but creators promise an unique experience:

Beau de Mayo said:

“It’s gonna give fans that are familiar with the series a totally unique experience that I hope makes them feel like they’re coming to ‘The Witcher’ for the first time again.

I’m also just excited for the fans to see the action. It’s pretty awesome.”

Lauren S Hissrich said:

“There are things I wanted to know about, what it takes to become a witcher, how Geralt became a witcher, where his journey started and who was important to him”.

“Families are multi-generational. When we meet Geralt in ‘The Witcher’ he is a full adult, he’s 100 years old and he’s been living on his own for a very long time. But you can’t help wondering how he learned the things he practices regularly and is going to teach Ciri”.

Useful links

• IMDb page

• Official Twitter

• Date Announcement Teaser

• Vesemir First Look Teaser

• Official Teaser

• Lauren breaks down the teaser

• Official Trailer

• Making Of

• The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf: Timelines Explained

• Inside Kaer Morhen