Brian Cox Welcomes Anthony Hopkins' Enhanced Reputation as Hannibal Lecter's Legendary Character
In a recently published interview pertaining to The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim that mainly delved into Succession, Brian Cox discussed his experience as the initial actor to portray Hannibal Lecter on screen, preceding Anthony Hopkins' Oscar-winning depiction in The Silence of the Lambs.
This seasoned performer, who has left a significant mark in the world of cinema since 1986, has graciously put to rest any potential thespian rivalry. "It's a distinct character," he told The Hollywood Reporter. "It's like playing Hamlet. Everyone has their own Hamlet. I chose to play it according to how director Michael Mann and I envisioned it. Tony played it brilliantly. I had to travel to Paris to watch it because I couldn't bear to watch it in London."
When pushed for more details, Cox elaborate, "Because people would assume I was comparing Hannibal Lecters' and all that. But we played it how we played it. Tony took it in another direction. And of course, Tony's was a massive success, and he won the Oscar and made a fortune out of it. I earned about 10 grand."
Apparently, the sole constant rule between the two is their silence on the matter of Hannibal Lecter. "I gave an interview to a newspaper, and the headline read that I was the original Hannibal Lecter. While true, it gave the impression that I was boasting about it, which wasn't. I woke up one day to find my phone ringing non-stop and chaos ensued. Tony's then-partner contacted my agent, expressing his displeasure. I apologized to my agent, and we've worked together a few times since. We never talk about it. And that's a rule we've never broken."
Regrettably, The Hollywood Reporter didn't broach the topic of Mads Mikkelsen's portrayal of the character on the TV series Hannibal, leaving us in the dark about Cox's thoughts on that version. For a more extensive look into the interview, you can visit The Hollywood Reporter.
If you're craving more io9 news, check out the anticipated release dates for the latest installments of Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek, the future trajectory of the DC Universe on film and TV, and all the updates regarding the fate of Doctor Who.
In the realm of entertainment predictions, io9 often discusses the anticipated future of renowned franchises such as Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek. With advancements in technology, the future of movie-making and storytelling is expected to be more immersive and captivating. Brian Cox, in his interview with The Hollywood Reporter, touched upon the significance of keeping silent about past roles, specifically Hannibal Lecter, which has become an integral part of cinema's future.
