Fans of Bryan Fuller’s critically acclaimed NBC series “Hannibal” have maintained their ravenous hunger for a fourth season since the show’s end in 2015. The series creator recently offered an update that keeps hope alive. However, he also acknowledged the complex bureaucratic hurdles standing in the way.
Speaking with The Horror Queers podcast ahead of the release of his new movie, Dust Bunny (which reunites him with Hannibal star Mads Mikkelsen), Fuller revealed that the biggest obstacle to producing Season 4 is the tangled web of intellectual property rights.
Fuller confirmed that the entire original cast is eager to come back for more.
“Everybody wants to return. Hugh [Dancy] and Mads [Mikkelsen], definitely,” Fuller stated. “But also Laurence Fishburne, Katie Isabelle, Caroline Dhavernas, Lara Jean Chorostecki, Aaron Abrams, and Scott [Thompson] all want to come back to the story.”
However, the legal situation surrounding the property has recently become more challenging following the passing of producer Martha de Laurentiis. Fuller detailed the complications:
“Right now, it’s a little complicated since Martha de Laurentiis‘ passing. The rights are in the process of reversion to Thomas Harris. MGM/Amazon has some. They’re all being navigated in a way that is going to be a little trickier to iron out now. They’re in process, and I keep on touching base and trying to encourage folks to get back together.”
Fuller has always maintained a clear vision for the story’s continuation. He revealed that he is actively exploring creative and legal paths to simplify the return, including adapting a famous title.
“I’ve talked a little bit about wanting to do a The Silence of the Lambs adaptation,” Fuller said. He hinted that such a project “may be free of certain obligations to include Gaumont [International Television], who is the studio on Hannibal.” He added, “You can’t copyright a performance, you know? So there are things that we’re trying to figure out if we can get away with that would make it an easier path that might shake the possibilities loose of things that we might be hindered from doing at this point, given the status of the rights.”
It is worth noting that Fuller recently generated excitement by mentioning his desire to tackle The Silence of the Lambs. And he’s already revealed his desire to see Zendaya cast as Clarice Starling.
Fuller also addressed potential concerns from some fans regarding the show’s evolving style. He confirms that Season 4 would follow the uncompromising trajectory established in the final season.
“I know exactly what Season 4 of Hannibal is,” he stated.” Fuller confessed frustration with the initial batch of episodes: “Season 1 felt a little more like traditional television to me. There was a lot more ‘murder mystery of the week’ crime procedural kind of things.” He continued, “I thought Season 2 was better. Season 3, I was like, ‘Okay, this is what we should be doing. This is the type of storytelling that I think the show can do.’”
Fuller cautioned viewers who preferred the earlier format:
“There are a lot of people who don’t like Season 3, and I was like, ‘Well then, you really don’t want a Season 4, because that’s it.’ If you’re not down with Season 3, then you’re not going to be grooving on the plan for Season 4 because it’s following that arc.”
Despite the legal complexities, Fuller’s continued enthusiasm means the prospect of more “Hannibal” remains thrillingly viable for the dedicated “Fannibals” worldwide.
If you somehow missed the amazing, intense, stunning series or would like to rewatch it, you can find all three seasons streaming on Prime Video.
And if you’re looking for something to tide you over, check out the 2021 series “Clarice.” It picks up one year after Agent Starling (Rebecca Breeds) faced the events in The Silence of the Lambs. It’s on both Prime Video and Apple TV.
