Kim Bodnia Sought Out Challenges While Filming The Witcher To Enhance His Energy
Netflix's "The Witcher" is known for its high fantasy setting where monsters, humans, and sorceresses battle for dominance over their world. Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill), the main character who also happens to be a Witcher, is the finest example of a person who's not quite human and hired to deal with the monsters that threaten innocent lives. At the same time, because he's not truly human, he's also often mistreated by the people he's paid to protect.
Due to the high stakes and nonstop action that "The Witcher" provides, the actors are expected to carry a lot of weight to bring the series together. Most characters face countless physical confrontations, and each is forced to face some serious emotional upheaval. Just look at Yennefer's (Anya Chalotra) entire story arc through Seasons One and Two.
The same can be said of Kim Bodnia, who plays Vesemir in the second season. While Vesemir's role isn't nearly as large as Geralt, Yennefer, or Joey Batey's Jaskier, portraying Vesemir was still demanding. Kim Bodnia had his own way of hyping himself up for the role.
Kim Bodnia thinks challenges are required for good results
During an interview with Stream Wars, Kim Bodnia was asked what the biggest challenge of filming "The Witcher" was for him. Bodnia's answer was a bit surprising because he didn't really take the opportunity to elaborate on a struggle he faced on set. Instead, he focused on how much he loves overcoming challenges.
"I like to challenge myself all the time," Bodnia began. "You need challenge to do something good. So if there is no challenge, I make a challenge. I like to break my own leg so I can stand again because that makes an energy." For the sake of Bodnia's leg, let's just hope he's speaking metaphorically here. Even still, his point stands strong. Overcoming an obstacle creates a positive source of energy that inspires someone to keep going.
"I like energy, and the cameras can only absorb energy, so that's what I'm working all the time. So I have to challenge myself all the time. Otherwise, I'll get bored," Bodnia continues, and he does make a compelling argument. A camera can only record what's directly in front of it. If an actor doesn't perform well due to a lack of energy or boredom, the result will suffer. "The big challenge I don't care about because I'm an old trained sportsman." He means he's used to facing adversity and overcoming it. He's used to the thrill of jumping over a higher hurdle, and it's helped him perform to the best of his abilities.
"If you don't have a challenge, there is no life." Bodnia went on to say that he trains every day and constantly looks for new ways to "break his leg" so he can stand back up again, stronger than before.