MovieChat Forums > Hannibal (2001) Discussion > Hopkins as Hannibal.. but who else could...

Hopkins as Hannibal.. but who else could you imagine as Dr Lecter?

posted 15 years ago by RobertoWatchin
72 replies | jump to latest

moved to here: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000164/board/nest/155021218

Perfect casting of Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal.. but who else could you imagine as Dr Lecter?

It’s almost impossible to disassociate Hannibal with Anthony as he consistently played it perfectly, and this isn’t a preference to, or trying to better.

He needs to be able to play a character who is: highly intelligent - and I mean highly intelligent, an Englishman, erudite, classically trained / educated, perceptive, subtle but with an underlying malice, powerful, graceful, seductive and unnerving, at once charming and then cold. Also, able to convincingly speak an array of languages and have an amazing voice.

Can be from anytime, alive or dead, to give us more scope.

My first thoughts are:

Daniel Day-Lewis - can play anyone
Jeremy Irons
Kevin Spacey - superb in Seven
Ralph Fiennes – played in Red Dragon, but showed callous in Schindler’s List
Brian Cox – of course :)
Christopher Lee
Edward Fox – haven’t seen much of his work but he’s great in Day of the Jackal
John Hurt – unsure if he could be menacing enough?

This is open and all ideas.. can time-shift to appropriate age, doesn’t have to be British or white.. just who you can imagine playing this archetypal role.

[–] avoplace 15 years ago

Mathieu Amalric.

[–] purdah2003 15 years ago

I couldn't really imagine anybody else. I think Anthony Hopkins just looks 'evil' anyway lol

[–] Nikostratos 15 years ago

Jack Nicholson

[–] avoplace 15 years ago

Hehe.

Nicholson would be interesting.

[–] Edward_de_Vere 15 years ago

Ian Holm would have been a very good choice. It's hard to watch his performance in Alien and not think of him as Hannibal Lecter.

[–] ChairmanOfTheBored 15 years ago

Brad Dourif

I'm A Lead Farmer, *beep* - Lincoln Osiris

[–] newblood97 15 years ago

maybe Willem Dafoe?

[–] Planet-man77 15 years ago

In a modern-day remake?

Steve Carell.

I'm being completely serious.

=
Take my advice. Watch "Stella". It's hysterical. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443409/

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] SeisCinemaSeis 15 years ago

In short: NO ONE.

Brian Cox played the role of "Dr. Lecktor" in 'Manhunter' but his performance is hardly memorable, albeit it wasn't his fault. His character was poorly developed.

Gaspard Ulliel also played a young Lecter in 'Hannibal Rising'. Gaspard is not a bad actor but with such a stupid script to work with, not even the best actor could have succeeded.

IMO Anthony Hopkins is gonna be remembered as the best and sometimes the only "Dr. Lecter" by most people regardless how many actors could play the role in the coming years. His performance as Hannibal Lecter is one of a kind.

[–] RobertoWatchin 15 years ago

moved to here: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000164/board/nest/155021218

[–] CapRising 15 years ago

The only actor who I ever thought could have come close was Robert Stack from The Untouchables. Reason being, his facial expression and piercing eyes could have done the character justice, while inspiring an audience's respect. Especially in SOTL and Red Dragon, when he's behind bars. Unfortunately, Stack was of an advanced age in the late 1990s and died around that time. So we'll never know how well he might have done.

[–] CasseroleWorshipper 15 years ago

Some great choices here (Willem Dafoe, Brad Dourif, Ian Holm). I'd also suggest a young Henry Fonda, Christoph Waltz, Thomas Haden Church, John C. McGinley and maybe Ben Foster (once he's old enough).

Can I borrow your towel for a sec? My car just hit a water buffalo.

[–] INTJewel 15 years ago

Why the hell does a Lithuanian character need to be played by an Englishman?

Kevin Spacey.

[–] yorozuya_tsundelea 15 years ago

"Dieter Laser" from "the human centipede"

I saw the trailer I think he is the next generation of Hannibal.

[–] megave7 15 years ago

Hugh Laurie!!!!

[–] EBuzzMiller 14 years ago

I can only think of one choice. Michael Emerson.

He's a sailor,he's in New York.We get this guy laid we won't have any trouble

[–] FreaksRule 14 years ago

John Lithgow

[–] Anfubvinch 14 years ago

I would love to see Brian Cox back as Lecter. In my opinion, he was even better than Anthony Hopkins.

"I'd never done foreplay before. But then again, who needs foreplay when you're jacking off?"

[–] dmyriounis 14 years ago

1.Jeremy Irons
2.Jim Broadbent
3.John Malkovitch
4.Rowan Atkinson
5.Gary Oldman
6.Campbell Scott
7.Alan Rickman
8.Kevin Spacey
9.Ian McKellen
10.Tom Wilkinson

[–] nickim37 10 years ago

Definitely John Lithgow! I was gonna suggest him too. He was absolutely brilliant as the Trinity Killer.