[Spoiler Warning] The NBC series "Hannibal" just aired its final episode which saw Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) and Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) plunging down a cliff. Fans have been clamoring for the show to continue on another network or through a feature film. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, it appears that the latter may actually push through.
Showrunner Bryan Fuller explained that continuing the story via a feature film is the most appealing option. He pointed out that the cast of the series are well-known movie actors and he addressed that they approached "Hannibal" as an independent movie instead of a television series.
He also stated that it would bring the property back full circle, a reference to the books having been originally adapted to the big screen prior to the NBC series adaptation on TV. The most popular film adaptations were "Red Dragon" and "The Silence of the Lambs" starring Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter.
Fuller also confirmed that executive producer Martha de Laurentiis is currently looking into financing a feature film that would continue the story of Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter.
"There is something in the novel 'Hannibal' that has not been done in any of the adaptations and I would love to explore that with Will Graham and Hannibal Lecter," he told THR. "I'm hoping that someday, whether it's a year from now... two years from now... that we will continue to get to tell that story."
One of the difficulties of this option, however, is that finishing the story with a feature film might alienate those who have not seen the series. Fuller also addressed this, stating that there are always ways to establish a satisfactory entry point for both old and new audiences.
Meanwhile, Fuller was also asked about Clarice Starling, a character from the novels that the NBC series could not adapt since the rights to the character belongs to MGM. Fuller explained that his ideal casting for the role would be Ellen Page. However, he also stated that if possible, they would cast a non-white actress to play the role.
