The Lambs are silent now. R.I.P. Jonathan Demme

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Zone D Dad

Well-Known Member
Apr 17, 2017
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Very well said sir. Casting Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter was a stroke of genius imho.

Thanks Ghost. I read a great interview with the screenwriter, Ted Tally and he talks about the pre-production process that the film went through. He said at the time, Anthony Hopkins was still not widely recognized with American audiences, which was kind of surprising. He said Gene Hackman had originally tried to adapt the novel with the intention of starring in and directing it, and instead finding it incredibly difficult. Certainly would've been a different film.
 

ghost19

"Have I run too far to get home?"
Sep 25, 2011
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Thanks Ghost. I read a great interview with the screenwriter, Ted Tally and he talks about the pre-production process that the film went through. He said at the time, Anthony Hopkins was still not widely recognized with American audiences, which was kind of surprising. He said Gene Hackman had originally tried to adapt the novel with the intention of starring in and directing it, and instead finding it incredibly difficult. Certainly would've been a different film.
Wow. I didn't know Gene Hackman had been slated for the part. That would have DEFINITELY made for a different movie. I can't imagine anyone but Hopkins playing Hannibal Lecter, although the younger guy who played him in the prequel "Hannibal Rising" did a pretty decent job also. Have you ever read the T. Harris books? The ending took a whole different slant than the movies did.
 

Zone D Dad

Well-Known Member
Apr 17, 2017
359
1,829
Chicago Suburbs
Wow. I didn't know Gene Hackman had been slated for the part. That would have DEFINITELY made for a different movie. I can't imagine anyone but Hopkins playing Hannibal Lecter, although the younger guy who played him in the prequel "Hannibal Rising" did a pretty decent job also. Have you ever read the T. Harris books? The ending took a whole different slant than the movies did.

I don't think he was thinking about playing Lector as it would've been to taxing to do that in addition to directing. I think he was going to cast himself as Jack Crawford. This was from an interview in a book called "Screenwriters on Screenwriting".
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
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