The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf is an animated addition to the already deep and dark world of The Witcher. Whether you’ve come in via The Witcher game series or the Netflix live-action film, it seems that everyone can’t get enough of The Witcher. Nightmare of the Wolf doesn’t continue from the existing Witcher story but instead goes back in time to show how they make Witchers.
The animated film follows the life of a young Vesemir – Geralt’s mentor as he focuses on how children are taken and transformed into monster hunters. Nightmare of the Wolf takes place years before Vesemir even meets Geralt, so don’t expect to see that silver wolf anytime soon.
The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf will debut on Netflix later this month, on August 23rd 2021.
About Nightmare Of The Wolf
In order for Geralt of Rivia to become a Witcher, he not to undergo the grueling process of physical transformation. The same as all other Wtichers and he had to learn from his mentor, another Witcher by the name of Vesemir. Though Vesemir’s set to feature largely in the upcoming second season of Netflix’s live-action series, he is also the main focus of Nightmare of the Wolf.
Set long before the events of The Witcher, Nightmare of the Wolf follows Vesemir from his youth. As he goes from being an ordinary young boy to embracing his new life as a powerful Witcher. both blessed and cursed with abilities that make him a revered figure throughout the land. Much like his one-day mentee, Vesemir takes to the hard life of being a witcher understanding that while he renders an invaluable service to humanity by slaying demons, people also see him as a kind of monster who needs to be kept a healthy arm’s distance.
The money Vesemir makes from his demon hunting is more than enough to furnish a life of moderate comfort. But when a gig escorting the witch Tetra arises, he leaves his modest luxuries behind in order to do what he does best: kill the dangerous beings.
The Cast And Studio
The animation studio behind the film is Studio MIR, which is also responsible for The Legend of Korra and Voltron: Legendary Defender. It’s directed by Han Kwang II (The Boondocks, The Last Airbender) and written by Beau de Mayo. It also boasts an impressive voice cast listed below:
Theo James (Castlevania) as 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.”
Lara Pulver (Sherlock) as 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.”
Mary McDonnel (Battlestar Galactica) as 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.”
Graham McTavish (The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey) as Degla – “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.”
Why Animation?
We’re used to seeing the live-action faces of Geralt and the crew so why would they decide to bring Nightmare of the Wolf in this direction. The truth is that sometimes magic just looks better in anime. The new trailer for the anime spinoff shows off a lot more of the expanded Witcher universe, and some rather impressive-looking fight scenes and effects, the sorts of which would have been far harder to achieve in the live-action series.
Han Kwang, the director said that one benefit of the animated format included allowing the witchers to carry their iconic dual blades. “The actors had difficulty carrying multiple swords at the same time, because they were too heavy, so they were only carrying one sword at a time,” he says. “In the anime we don’t have those restrictions.”
The writer De Mayo also states “it is a story we could not have told in live-action in any way, shape or form. At least not without an incredible burden on production, I will say that.”
Should You Watch Nightmare Of The Wolf?
While there’s only but so much to be gleaned about Nightmare of the Wolf’s premise from the trailer, there are a few shots of other witchers from the previous age. Suggesting that the series may delve a bit more into the culture and lives of other witchers than The Witcher’s first season did.
Because characters like Vesemir are set to appear in live-action in The Witcher’s second season, there’s also a solid chance that Nightmare of the Wolf’s story will factor into the franchise’s near future. Meaning that the show’s probably going to be something fans want to check out when it hits Netflix on August 23rd.
