Thirty years ago today,
While technically a sequel to Michael Mann's "Manhunter", that film's financial failure led famed producer Dino DeLaurentiis to relinquish the rights to Orion Pictures for a clean slate. After Gene Hackman flirted with the project, director Jonathan Demme joined up in 1989 and he badly wanted his "Married to the Mob" star Michelle Pfeiffer as Clarice Starling. She reluctantly turned down Ted Tally's "evil" script, as did Meg Ryan. Meanwhile, newly-minted Oscar winner Jodie Foster was lobbying hard for the part, perhaps to exorcise the demons of the John Hinckley controversy that kept her career quiet for much of the '80s. Her intelligence, strength, and accent made her perfect for the role
if you have the right guide
Sean Connery, Robert De Niro, and Jack Nicholson had no interest in playing Hannibal Lecter. Jeremy Irons needed a break from dark characters. Jon Lithgow would have been next in line, if Anthony Hopkins hadn't seen the role as his last chance to make a real impact in Hollywood. The 52 year old Welshman had been alternating between the stage and screen since the '60s, without ever truly achieving the fame and recognition that his talent warranted. That all changed the moment he burned a hole through Starling with that icy stare and unnerving stillness. Hopkins knew exactly how to play Hannibal, and Demme was receptive to all of his suggestions- the speech pattern, the manners, the slicked-back hair, the neat jumpsuit. To say that the performance was instantly iconic would be an understatement.
Ahh, Miggs.
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