Following the success of 2021’s Nightmare of the Wolf, Netflix will debut another feature-length animated film set in The Witcher universe on Tuesday February 11th. I’ve seen The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep, an action/adventure drama focusing on Geralt, a monster hunter seeking peace in the kingdoms, an understanding of the trouble between humans and mermaids — and also, possibly, love. (This Animation Scoop Interview with director Kang Hei Chul was conducted as an Email Q&A and was edited for length and clarity.)
Jackson Murphy: What excited you about turning this specific story from “The Witcher” universe into an animated feature?
Kang Hei Chul: Coming across this story was like discovering a hidden gem, stepping away from bustling tourist landmarks — like an ancient castle tucked away in the quaint little street that nobody knew existed. “The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep” gave me that sense of unexpected wonder, its fascinating new characters, and the chance to explore a mysterious and uncharted world. One of the greatest strengths of animation is its ability to bring imagination to life without limitations. For this new underwater world, the artists expressed their creativity at full stretch, bringing to life the vibrant look of the deep sea that we’ve envisioned. It was both thrilling and rewarding. Additionally, I was very much interested in weaving the overarching themes of the Witcher franchise — how these extraordinary beings confront and navigate humanity’s selfishness and their journey of self-discovery. I was particularly eager to explore and seamlessly incorporate these themes into our new story. It was a joy translating the existing franchise and discovering new ways to satisfy both longtime fans and newcomers. I hope this new film will serve as yet another gateway to showcasing the diversity and depth of “The Witcher.”
JM: This was my introduction to “The Witcher”, and I was able to jump right in thanks to compelling themes and character arcs. Were there challenges in pleasing diehard fans and new fans?
KHC: Yes, it was definitely a challenge that I embraced. The Witcher is deeply loved for its expansive world and fascinating narratives, so my mission was to craft an experience that would effortlessly draw in new audiences while staying true to the expectations of devoted fans. And what a relief to hear you enjoyed it! We wanted to remain faithful to the original source, capturing its mood and essence, while also venturing into new territory to distinguish this film. Since it was the first time Geralt, Jaskier, and many other characters were depicted in animated form, we had lengthy discussions early in the design stage to ensure we accurately represented their distinct characteristics in the new setting, which is the deep sea. We also focused on a cinematic style, carefully balancing traditional animation with realistic action sequences without over-exaggerating any elements. Of course, we wanted to maintain the fun vibe of the animation throughout. We also dedicated great care and energy to the story structure and the dynamics among characters so that new audiences entering the Witcher world for the first time would find it accessible to enjoy. Finding a balance wasn’t easy, but we ultimately found our answer by incorporating The Witcher’s essence in fresh new perspectives. We continually challenged ourselves with new questions and sought thoughtful solutions, which shaped the film into what it has become. I hope that a diverse audience of fans will be able to find their own meaning through this story.
JM: Doug Cockle has voiced Geralt in several “Witcher” video games. What do you enjoy about his voice work and dedication to this character?
KHC: I remember when Doug first delivered his read in the recording studio – it blew all of our minds. All of our concerns and stresses about finding Geralt’s voice completely vanished. What did I enjoy the most? He was undeniably perfect – irreplaceable, in fact. He is truly one of a kind. During the recording sessions, he naturally took the lead among us because he understood the character in every sense. His masterful acting not only brought Geralt to life but also inspired me in ways I hadn’t expected. He didn’t simply deliver lines; he captured Geralt’s inner struggle, composed judgment, and even his warmth and humor that subtly emerge from time to time. He embodied every nuance, from Geralt’s breath and gestures to his complex emotional depth. He masterfully conveyed Geralt’s humanity and emotions while preserving his unyielding strength, achieving a perfect balance that transcended mere performance — he became Geralt. Once again, he proved his irreplaceable worth, solidifying my conviction that he is the one true Geralt of the animated world.
JM: Love is a major component of this movie. How did you want to explore the complexities of relationships?
KHC: I remember reading that The Witcher live-action series explores the theme of loss. The characters endure profound personal hardships and grow from their pain. They forge relationships that are sometimes comforting, yet other times toxic, often navigating conflicting emotions. In our film “Sirens of the Deep”, we wanted to reinterpret what love means in this particular framework. Everyone processes loss differently, and no reaction can be labeled as right or wrong. For some, it can come from placing unrealistic expectations on their only child, an obsessive pursuit of self-accomplishment, or a craving for love from friends and partners. We explored how love shapes choices and actions, and often serves as a catalyst for conflicts. This perspective helped us portray characters with depth and nuance. For instance, Geralt’s sense of responsibility and protection can be seen as love by some, while others may perceive it as selfishness or even deceit. The supporting characters also reveal a spectrum of emotions, including affection, betrayal, sacrifice, and obsession. To unravel these layered narratives, we focused on having our characters make choices and react in ways that feel authentic and relatable to their circumstances. We explored what love means to each character and sought to portray their perspectives with care. Ultimately, our goal was to create a film that invites the audience to empathize with the characters through their interactions, struggles, and arcs. That said, not every character arc was fully resolved, as we aimed to reflect the complexities of real life. Instead, we intentionally left space for our audience to imagine each character’s ending.
JM: The battles with the sea monsters are thrilling. What stands out to you about animating these sequences?
KHC: Based on my experiences with other projects, determining the type of action and incorporating some entertaining elements is usually one of the simpler stages. However, the battle sequence with sea monsters in this film was one of the most challenging and rewarding parts of the entire process. For this sequence, we wanted to convey the dynamic tension in our unique setting of the deep sea. All our animators dedicated themselves to ensuring that each character stood out by skillfully balancing between realistic physics with fantastical imagination. The most crucial aspect, however, was not the technical execution. This sequence featured many characters, each intertwined with complex emotions and relationships. It was essential that the action sequence reflected their feelings and how they overcame their struggles in each interaction. We wanted the audience to feel the climactic tension and be fully immersed in the story. The characters’ relationships, conflicts, and emotions, which are often hidden deep inside, were all woven into the actions, making the scenes resonate deeply with the audience. We invested a significant amount of time to achieve this, and we are proud to say that our time was well spent, as we were pleased with how it came out.
JM: How do you make the underwater glow look so good?
KHC: Our art team focused on balancing realism and imagination to craft the underwater glow. The ocean setting wasn’t merely a backdrop — it was a central character in its own right, serving as both the stage for the battle and a stark contrast to the human world. While the ocean is naturally mysterious, we tried to infuse it with unique, fantastical elements to make the underwater realm distinctive and captivating. At the same time, we aimed to convey an underlying sense of menace and danger hidden within its beauty. To achieve a realistic aesthetic, we drew inspiration from real deep-sea creatures and photographs. We studied realistic spatial depth, underwater visibility, floating particles, and the natural bioluminescence emitted by deep-sea creatures. Building on this foundation, we crafted a unique color palette of light and color for the underwater world. But rather than simply recreating these elements, we carefully adjusted hues and enhanced the vibrance of the lights to fully immerse viewers in an enchanting fantasy world. Our vision was to create “the underwater world painted by light.” This idea originated from the desire to evoke a sense of mystery through the interplay of light and shadow, combined with vibrant colors. The lighting designs should be more than just decorations; they had to reflect the dynamic energy of the underwater world and its narrative moments. I want to give a shoutout to our compositing team for bringing the glows we envisioned to life with their stunning VFX. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of every team, we were able to present an enchanting underwater world to the audience.
JM: After your experience directing this film, what do you think makes the entire “Witcher” brand one of the most successful franchises for Netflix?
KHC: If I were to describe The Witcher in a sentence, it would be “a captivating world where cruelty and beauty delicately intertwine–with multifaceted characters, insight into the human psyche, and thrilling action.” I don’t believe that The Witcher has earned the love of fans worldwide solely because of its spectacular action or stunning visuals. Its success as a franchise lies in its ability to go beyond the surface story of monster hunting. It delves into themes like complex human relationships, love and conflict, moral dilemmas, and political intrigue, ultimately reminding us that “the real monsters might be us.” The audience can link this virtual world with our reality and really immerse themselves in the story from their own perspective. The Witcher has everything: extensive world-building, charming characters, engrossing story, and high-quality action. What could be more attractive than The Witcher? As an external factor, Netflix’s global influence has contributed to the success of the Witcher franchise, alongside Team Witcher’s creative dedication. Additionally, the franchise’s various expansions — such as the series, animated features, and other related content — have created a powerful synergy, connecting these elements into a cohesive universe. “The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep” is part of these broader efforts to expand the horizons of The Witcher franchise. We believe these new initiatives have played a significant role in helping “The Witcher” become a renowned franchise. Last but not least, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to everyone who made this possible. None of this would have happened without Lauren [Schmidt Hissrich], our showrunner [and producer], and our talented writers, Mike [Ostrowski] and Rae [Benjamin]. I also appreciate all the crew members whose guidance and hard work brought this project to life. Thank you all so much!
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