10 Status Updates On Iconic Horror Franchises

10. Hannibal Lecter

Last Film Entry: Hannibal Rising (2006)

What's going on? Hannibal Lecter first turned up onscreen in 1986's Red Dragon adaptation Manhunter, though that film was eclipsed a few years later by The Silence of the Lambs. Two more films followed with Anthony Hopkins reprising the iconic role before the arrival of the 2006 prequel sans Hopkins that essentially killed the franchise on the big screen.

Though rumors understandably floated around about a potential new film with Hopkins back in the saddle in the years after Rising's release, it never came to fruition, leaving many doubting that anyone new could touch his performance were Hannibal to undergo a new interpretation. Fortunately, when NBC's Hannibal arrived in 2013, Mads Mikkelsen stole the role right out from under Hopkins in the eyes of many, with his performance and the series around him breathing new life into the franchise, lasting three seasons until it was cancelled earlier this year.

As of now, the future of Hannibal Lecter is up in the air. It's entirely possible in today's era of television revivals that Hannibal could be continued down the line on another network or platform in some form - a new season, a miniseries or a movie - especially when the cast and crew themselves still want more, but for now, it seems, don't expect to see a new take on everyone's favorite cannibal on the big or small screen anytime soon to allow the franchise as a whole the chance to breathe.