Killing The Kikimora: Prepping The Stunt Work For The Witcher’s Killer Opening

Netflix continues its great behind-the-scenes video vignettes of key scenes for The Witcher. Netflix’s number one show kicked off its first episode showing Geralt of Rivia hard at work as a monster slayer for hire. It’s an eerie scene as the eight legged, crab-like Kikimora delivers the death blow to a young deer peacefully drinking at a watering hole. Geralt is just a too late for the deer, but just in time to save the nearby villagers who pay him for his duties.

As you’d expect a lot of choreographed sword swinging went into fighting the CG Kikimora in this scene. And stunt coordinator, Vladimir Furdik had a unique set up for practicing this choreography. He worked out Geralt’s moves by fighting a bunch of people holding pipes shaped like the giant legs of the Kikimora.

That helped Furdik “build the fight.”

It’s pretty ingenious, and makes perfect sense. The finished product makes for a killer opening for The Witcher. Check out the video below.

A lot of work goes into perfecting these monsters. Now check out how the monsters were created for season one of ‘The Witcher’ here.