The writers famously hate the source material, and seem to forget the cardinal lesson with adaptations: The source material is what made millions of dollars, not your shitty untested ideas.

[–] lepinkainen@lemmy.world 8 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

But shitting on an existing IP is the only way to get your own material out there nowadays

Nobody picks up originals anymore, so you take your own shit, wrap in in an IP and sell it

[–] Notyou@sopuli.xyz 2 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Was the Witcher not an original IP when it got picked up? This seems like a lazy answer.

[–] Uruanna@lemmy.world 9 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

No, there were books, then there were games. The games changed some stuff (probably, didn't read the books didn't play the games didn't watch the show), the show changed more from the games.

The books were an original idea, but there were a few of them before it got notable enough. Point is the showrunners aren't pitching original ideas that immediately shoot to popularity, original shows need time to build up to know if it's good but networks and publishers can pull the plug anytime they decide it's not fast enough. You don't strike gold on the first 3 episodes.

[–] Hugin@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

The main change in the games is it's set after the assumed death of Geralt in the books. So it's new stuff after the books. The popularity of the games made Sapkowski write more books that are different from what happens in the games.

[–] Uruanna@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago

Good for the guy. Wikipedia says it started as short stories in a magazine starting 1986, became books in 1994, games in 2007. So it did take a while, work, and layers of recognition from the magazine readers to the Netflix execs. Showrunners just say skip all that.

[–] lepinkainen@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Let’s simplify:

Writer X has an idea for a fantasy show

Can’t get it sold

Writer X slaps Witcher lore on their own script loosely

Script is sold because now it’s a known property, the industry likes that

Now the writers follow the “official” plot for a while and steer towards their own ideas more and more because that’s what they wanted to do originally.

[–] Notyou@sopuli.xyz 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

That seems to describe a few shows that let me down.

I'm not trying to defend Witcher. I was just curious on your thoughts. I have heard the writers didn't care that much for the original content, but I don't know any details.

[–] lepinkainen@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

There are way too many shows with well known IP that follow this exact formula 😕

Usually when nobody from the original IP cares enough to get involved or they aren’t allowed to

[–] nova_ad_vitum@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 weeks ago

Season 4 is painful honestly and it has nothing to down it the actors. Even the new Geralt is fine. The writing however is complete dogshit.