8 Movie Re-Castings That Were Totally Justified

1. Anthony Hopkins Replaces Brian Cox - Silence Of The Lambs

Back when it first released, Manhunter - Michael Mann's adaptation of Thomas Harris' novel, Red Dragon - faired poorly with critics and at the box-office. It has since developed into something of a cult classic however, with many pointing towards Mann's direction and the performance of Brian Cox as Doctor Hannibal Lecter as the chief reasons why.

And though Manhunter and Jonathan Demme's Silence of the Lambs released ten years apart, the two are oft compared for their contrasting depictions of Harris' books.

In Manhunter, Cox plays Lecter in an understated fashion; it's no less sinister, but the theatrical nature of Anthony Hopkins' performance in Silence will forever remain the definitive image of Hannibal the Cannibal, as was evidenced by the Academy Award the actor ended up winning, as well as in the numerous sequels and prequels in which he would reprise his role.

Ultimately, Mann's Manhunter and Demme's Silence of the Lambs are both equally stellar adaptations of Harris' novels. It is Demme's, however, that remains the most enduring image. Without Hopkins' performance, that may never have been the case.