10 Times Two Actors Perfectly Executed The Same Character

When director Jonathan Demme filmed Thomas Harris’s novel The Silence of The Lambs in 1991, he created one of the greatest ever thriller serial killer movies. Winning five Academy Awards, including Best Actor for the portrayal of the psychopathic Dr Hannibal ‘The Cannibal’ Lecter by Anthony Hopkins. His creepy performance of the character made the movie while likewise defining Hopkins as an actor. The Brit would go on to revisit playing Lecter in Hannibal (2001), allowing audiences to see the killer living a secret life out in the open following his escape from incarceration at the end of The Silence Of The Lambs.

Hopkins returned again in Red Dragon (2002), which was a remake of Michael Mann’s Manhunter (1986), which featured the first screen version of the character and a comparatively forgettable performance by Brian Cox. Hopkins played Lecter so perfectly that it was almost inconceivable to imagine anyone else stepping into his shoes. However, in 2013 NBC served up the TV series Hannibal, starring Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale) in the central role.

Mikkelsen makes the younger version of the character his own, playing a subtler version of the cannibal as a hidden snake in the grass as he works with the FBI’s behavioural science unit. Here, Hannibal provides psychological input to help with the FBI's investigations, whilst also acting as a psychiatrist for investigator Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) as the series slow burn teases the unveiling of Lecter's true sadistic nature.