Many thanks to Monica M. Schmidt for sending in these two articles about early preparation for Red Dragon. At the end is the cinema.com story about Anthony Hopkins re-upping. Many thanks to cleo for the head's up.
Hopkins drools over 'Dragon' for Uni, Ratner
By Zorianna Kit
LOS ANGELES (The Hollywood Reporter) --- Universal Pictures is looking to feed Hannibal Lecter to audiences again. Anthony Hopkins is in negotiations to reprise his role as the psychiatrist-turned-cannibal in the studio's "Red Dragon," with director Brett Ratner ("The Family Man") in negotiations helm the film. The studio is aiming for the project to go into production this year for producers Dino and Martha De Laurentiis.
Based on Thomas Harris' 1981 best-selling crime-thriller novel of the same name, "Dragon" was the first of Harris' books to introduce Lecter, which Hopkins brought to life in his Oscar-winning turn in 1991's "The Silence of the Lambs" and this year's Universal Pictures/MGM co-production "Hannibal." Hopkins has long said that he would be interested in the role again for "Dragon," depending on the script (HR 11/ . Screenwriter Ted Tally, who won an Academy Award for his feature adaptation of "Silence of the Lambs," also adapted "Dragon."
"Dragon" centers on a serial killer of the same name who is on the loose, bringing FBI (news - web sites) agent Will Graham out of retirement because he has a special talent for catching such killers. Graham was almost the victim of Lecter, now jailed and to whom Graham appeals for help.
Hopkins and Ratner are both repped by CAA.
Hopkins, who is shooting the Walt Disney Co.'s "Black Sheep," has several features in the can, including Warner Bros.' "Hearts in Atlantis" and the indie "The Devil and Daniel Webster."
Ratner, repped by CAA, next directs New Line Cinema's "Rush Hour 2." His credits also include "Rush Hour" and "Money Talks."
In 1986, Michael Mann directed from his own adaptation a feature version of "Red Dragon" titled "Manhunter" that saw William L. Petersen star as Graham and Brian Cox as Lecter. The film didn't find much of an audience, bringing in a meager $8.6 million domestically for De Laurentiis' distribution company. The deal, however, was not without merit, as De Laurentiis was granted sequel rights as well as ownership of the Lecter character.
From Variety by way of the Daily News:
Wednesday June 13 2:30 AM ET
Universal moves forward on ``Hannibal'' prequel
By Cathy Dunkley
HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Brett Ratner is in negotiations to receive about $4 million to direct ``Red Dragon,'' the adaptation of Thomas Harris' 1981 bestselling crime thriller featuring Dr. Hannibal Lecter, for Universal Pictures.
The book, a predecessor to Harris' ``The Silence of the Lambs'' and ``Hannibal,'' first introduced Lecter to readers.
Anthony Hopkins is in negotiations to reprise his Oscar-winning role as Lecter for ``Dragon'' depending on the script. Universal will finance the film and release it worldwide.
Dino De Laurentiis will produce the picture with Martha De Laurentiis.
Academy Award-winning scribe Ted Tally (''The Silence of the Lambs'') came aboard to adapt Harris' novel last November (Daily Variety, Nov. 10).
The story starts with Lecter being arrested for the first time by ex-FBI (news - web sites) agent Will Graham, a top investigator who quit the bureau after nearly becoming one of Lecter's victims.
The book was adapted previously into the 1986 film ''Manhunter,'' directed by Michael Mann and produced by the De Laurentiises. The new film will incorporate elements of the book not seen in ``Manhunter.''
Universal and De Laurentiis last collaborated on Ridley Scott's ``Hannibal,'' starring Hopkins and Julianne Moore, which has taken $180 million overseas and $165 million domestically to date. MGM handled domestic marketing and distribution while Universal is distribbing the pic internationally.
``Dragon'' will reteam Ratner with Universal after his last success with the studio directing Nicolas Cage and Tea Leoni in ``The Family Man''
Ratner also recently directed the Jackie Chan hit ``Rush Hour'' for New Line Cinema and its upcoming sequel ``Rush Hour 2.''
Tally's credits include adaptations of the novels ``All the Pretty Horses,'' ``The Juror'' and ``White Palace.''
(Charles Lyons contributed to this report.)
Reuters/Variety REUTERS
13th June 2001 Anthony Hopkins Prepares To Play Hannibal Lecter Again
Welsh actor Anthony Hopkins has officially begun talks about playing flesh-eating killer HANNIBAL LECTER for a third time.
UNIVERSAL PICTURES is hoping work on RED DRAGON will begin before the end of the year (01).
The prequel will be based on Thomas Harris's novel Red Dragon.
Rush Hour (1998) director Brett Ratner is in talks to direct the film. Hopkins has often said he would be interested in playing the role of Hannibal Lecter again, depending on the script.
Screenwriter Ted Tally, who won an ACADEMY AWARD for his film adaptation of Silence of the Lambs, The (1991) has also adapted Red Dragon. In 1986, Michael Mann directed a film from his own adaptation of the novel, titled Manhunter (1986), that saw Brian Cox as Lecter. (RP/WNWCAN/KMW)
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