Bryan Fuller Talks the Future of Hannibal

Debi Moore |

Jun 25, 2015

We’re still reeling from the news that NBC has cancelled “Hannibal” (especially since word came today that the network has renewed “Aquarius,” a far inferior show), but could the series possibly be picked up by someone else? And now that showrunner Bryan Fuller has his hands full with “American Gods” on Starz, is a future for “Hannibal” even feasible?

Well, Fuller recently chatted with Deadline, and here are the applicable highlights. Hit the link for the full story.

When asked the odds for “Hannibal’s” resurrection, Fuller said, “Honestly, I’m not sure. I would say 50/50. Because I’ve been down this road before, and there’s that brief wave of ‘Oh, it could be possible,’ and then it just doesn’t happen. But it feels like the way this particular show is set up, there is potential for a deal to be done. I know conversations are being had. It’s just a matter if they can come to an agreement that is mutually beneficial to the studio and the distributor.”

Is Netflix in play? “Not really,” said Fuller. “Netflix has been great in expressing their enthusiasm for the show, but it’s just not feasible for them to pick it up. The deal with Amazon, I believe, precludes other streaming services. So that wouldn’t give Netflix what they need as a distributor in terms of first rights, etc.”

What about “American Gods” and how it impacts his availability for a “Hannibal” pick-up? Fuller explained, “…I do have an obligation to ‘American Gods’ and a passion for ‘American Gods’ so I absolutely want to service that in the way that it needs to be serviced… So then it becomes a question of can we stagger schedules so I can feasibly do both? That will be part of the discussion if there is a new partner to be had for ‘Hannibal’ – how to accommodate my dedication to ‘American Gods.'”

So, is the Season 3 finale a cliffhanger, or could it serve as a series ender? Fuller said, “The arc for a Season 4 of ‘Hannibal’ is hinging on the finale to Season 3, which, like the previous seasons’ finales, serves as a season end and a possible series finale.”

Is it possible we might see Mads Mikkelsen and Hugh Dancy as their characters, Hannibal and Will, on the big screen someday? Fuller got our hearts racing with his reply: “…I can’t deny that that would be the most awesome of results from this cancellation on NBC. At least for me, because it feels like a big-screen show in the way we produce it and the way it is formalistically designed. And having someone like David Slade direct a Hannibal film with Mads Mikkelson and Hugh Dancy is incredibly exciting. But also, in order to do that, I would have to condense a lot of story so once again with the Hannibal mythos, as we’ve been exploring, a little bit more real estate gives us the opportunity to be a little bit more funky in our narrative.”

Fuller also describes doling out installments in a “mini-movie” format should the show wind up on a streaming service like Amazon and ends with his take on the remaining NBC episodes: “I’m really proud of the past seasons and especially the next ten episodes of this season of the show, which get really crazy. And the final four episodes of the Italy arc are wonderfully perverse and shocking in terms of what we’ve pulled off on the show so far. I’m excited for what’s to come and to see how people react to some of the crazy shit that is coming their way.”

Crazy shit? Bring it on! And keep tweeting to #SaveHannibal – you just never know what might happen!

“Hannibal” Episode 3.04 – “Aperitivo” (6/25/15; 10-11 PM)
DR. CHILTON’S RETURN GIVES A GLIMPSE INTO THE EVENTS THAT FOLLOWED HANNIBAL’S BRUTAL ATTACK — After surviving a disfiguring gunshot, Dr. Fredrick Chilton (guest star Raúl Esparza) is now focused on rallying support to capture Hannibal (Mads Mikkelsen), using Will (Hugh Dancy) as bait.

Jack (Laurence Fishburne) is distracted by Bella’s (guest star Gina Torres) failing health, but he implores Will to abandon the risky idea of finding Hannibal. Meanwhile, Alana Bloom (Caroline Dhavernas) entertains a different approach, potentially partnering with Mason Verger (guest star Joe Anderson) to utilize his vast resources. Glenn Fleshler and Katharine Isabelle also guest star.

For more info be sure to visit “Hannibal” on NBC.com, “like” “Hannibal” on Facebook, and follow “Hannibal” on Twitter.