Hannibal Announcements from SDCC ’14

Bryan Fuller gave San Diego Comic Con fans a taste of what season 3 of Hannibal will bring.  At the panel on Thursday, July 24th, Fuller revealed that big names from the Thomas Harris novels will be, or attempts will be made, to bring them into series. It’s the appetizer Hannibal fans have been waiting for.

A big reveal was that Raúl Esparza’s character, Frederick Chilton, will be back.  Esparza said, “Chilton’s like a weeble-wooble.  You shoot him in the face, and he just comes right back.”  Fuller announced more characters, and which episode they will appear in.  Episode 2 will introduce Chief Inspector Pazzi from the film Hannibal.  Episode 3 will bring in Lecter’s aunt, Lady Murasaki.  Mason Verger’s private physician, Cordell, will be brought in for episode 4.  One of the most expected names, Francis Dolarhyde the villain from The Red Dragon, is going to arrive in episode 8.  That is a great selection from the Hannibal menagerie, but what about the big one, Clarice Starling?

It’s not a yes, but it’s not a no.  MGM still holds the rights for Starling.  Producer Martha De Laurentiis said they would be willing to work with MGM, but the decisions would still lie with the studio.  Fuller has said there will be a full court press to use the rights for Starling.  Fuller joked, if a deal couldn’t be reached, something along the lines of “Schmarlice Schmarling,” would show up on the screen.

It looks like season 3 & 4 have their ground work laid.  The story lines from The Red Dragon and Silence of the Lambs appears to be going forward, it just needs a little help to get what all Hannibal fans want to see; Clarice walking down the hallway and saying, “Dr. Lecter?”

What a delicious episode that will be.

Please, please let this happen.