NBC Wanted John Cusack or Hugh Grant For Hannibal, Not Mads Mikkelsen
NBC had very different ideas on who should play the titular serial killer on Hannibal — with John Cusack and Hugh Grant at the top of the network's list. Hannibal Lecter first debuted in Thomas Harris' 1981 novel, Red Dragon. Equal parts cunning psychiatrist and cannibalistic murderer, the character later returned for 1988's The Silence of the Lambs and 1999's Hannibal. His early years were later explored in the 2006 prequel, Hannibal Rising. Each installment has been adapted for the big screen - to varying degrees of success. The most prominent among them was The Silence of the Lambs, directed by Jonathan Demme. Initially, a sleeper hit, the film went on to sweep the Academy Awards and, through Anthony Hopkins, solidified the character as one of cinema's greatest monsters.
Developed by Bryan Fuller, a psychological horror-thriller based on the books premiered on NBC in 2013. Despite being met with understandable skepticism, Hannibal garnered immense critical acclaim and a passionate cult following. Alongside Hugh Dancy as Will Graham and Laurence Fishburne as Jack Crawford, the series had Mads Mikkelsen take on the role of Hannibal Lecter. Despite following in Hopkins' considerable footsteps, Mikkelsen made the role distinct and entirely his own. Hannibal brought to life many elements of the novels, though it was unable to adapt the saga entirely before NBC canceled the show after three seasons. Regardless, the show's fans continue to campaign for further seasons.
During a discussion with Collider, however, Fuller revealed that the character might have looked very different if NBC had gotten their way. Fuller had always had Mikkelsen in mind for the role but had to fight for multiple months on behalf of that decision. The network had, instead, favored having the character played by "a very American actor" that they could "sell to American audiences". To that end, Fuller elaborated that the two prominent names that frequently emerged were Cusack and Grant.
"It was an interesting dance because I'd say, 'Mads Mikkelsen!' and they'd say, 'No, how about Hugh Grant?' and I'd say, 'Great, make an offer, he's gonna say no,' then they'd make an offer and he'd say no, and I'd be like, 'What about Mads Mikkelsen?' and they'd be like, 'Well, what about John Cusack?' and I'd say, 'Great, make an offer, he's gonna say no,' and they'd make an offer and he'd say no, I'd say, 'What about Mads Mikkelsen?' That carousel went around for three or four months after we had cast Hugh [Dancy], it was going on for a while. Finally, I just said, 'Mads is the guy, that's the guy I see in the role and I have to write it and I have to champion it and I have to understand it."
Fortunately, Fuller went on to recount how, following his impassioned plea, Jennifer Salke at NBC was won over and got onboard with his vision for Hannibal. And while the show would not receive the level of marketing support that he could have, Fuller considered it a blessing in terms of no longer having to achieve a certain goal but merely make the show and tell the kind of story that they wanted. Fuller also conveyed that he believed the network to not be entirely wrong in regards to their reasoning.
"I think the network wanted somebody that was much more poppy, much more mainstream, much more American I think in some ways. That was just them thinking about, 'Okay, how do we get the biggest audience for our television show? We have to cast John Cusack as Hannibal Lecter and everybody will tune in because won't that be surprising?'"
Seeing Cusack or Grant as Hannibal Lecter would indeed have been surprising. For many, it would have equally been nonsensical. Both have proven themselves to be talented actors and have even been able to break somewhat from the kinds of roles they were initially known for. However, it's difficult to envision them pulling off the blend of menace, sophistication, general gravitas that Mikkelsen did as Hannibal. For those reasons and more, he became the quintessential version of the character in the eyes of countless viewers. As such, they will no doubt be glad not only that the pair turned the role down but that Fuller stuck to his guns regarding Hannibal and fought on Mikkelsen's behalf.
Source: Collider