Author Thomas Harris' infamous serial killer made the jump to movie villain back in 1986, beginning with Brian Cox playing the character in Michael Mann's Manhunter (based on the Red Dragon novel). Anthony Hopkins' Oscar-winning performance in The Silence of the Lambs solidified the cannibal as one of Hollywood's most famous baddies, leading to two more installments starring Hopkins (Ridley Scott's Hannibal and Brett Ratner's Red Dragon) and the origin story Hannibal Rising featuring Aaran Thomas and Gaspard Uliel as younger versions of the character.
Fuller's series starts before Dr. Lecter's horrifying pastime is uncovered by Will (as referenced through backstory for Red Dragon). However, should the Dead Like Me and Pushing Daisies TV series creator follow through with the seven season story arc he's mapped out, that will change (a precarious hope, given NBC's trend of canceling series prematurely and Fuller's history producing short-lived shows). All the same, the 13 episodes in the first season explore a borderline-dysfunctional working relationship between Will and Dr. Lecter, who consults on dangerous serial killer cases.
Check out the new Hannibal promo image and poster (via Fuller on Twitter):
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The Hannibal teaser footage presents an early taste (no pun intended) of the pilot's macabre content and cinematic flavor, provided courtesy of director David Slade (Hard Candy, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse). There may be some overlap between the content of Fuller's show and Fox's new series The Following, so the investigation format and previously-unexamined buddy dynamic (using that term loosely here) between the parly-established lead characters will be essential in allowing Hannibal to stand apart from the rest of the pack.
Rounding out the Hannibal cast are Caroline Dhavernas (Wonderfalls), Lara Jean Chorostecki (Camelot), Aaron Abrams (Rookie Blue), Hettienne Park (Damages) and Scott Thompson (Kids in the Hall). Meanwhile, Gillian Anderson (The X-Files) will appear in multiple episodes playing Dr. Lecter's not-so-lucky therapist.
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Hannibal premieres on Thursday evening, April 4th, 2013 on NBC at 10/9c.