On July 11, 2020, Nerdist House hosted a Hannibal reunion, bringing back the cast and crew of the much-loved but little-seen Hannibal, which began its run on NBC back in 2013.
After the show went off the air in 2015, its rabid fannibals have been craving more. Recently, the show was added to Netflix, which opened up the beautifully bloody yet bonkers show about a suave cannibal with perfect manners to a larger audience.
Donning flower crowns as a nod to the fandom, the panel featured showrunner Bryan Fuller, Mads Mikkelsen (Hannibal Lecter), Hugh Dancy (Will Graham), Gillian Anderson (Bedelia Du Maurier), Caroline Dhavernas (Alana Bloom), Raúl Esparza (Frederick Chilton), Hettienne Park (Beverly Katz), Kacey Rohl (Abigail Hobbs), Katie Isabelle (Margot Verger), Scott Thompson (Jimmy Price), Aaron Abrams (Brian Zeller), executive producer Martha De Laurentiis, co-producer Loretta Ramos, director and executive producer David Slade, and food consultant Janice Poon.
Together for the first time in a long while, the cast delighted fans with their happy reunion, as well as more than a few hints about what's to come... possibly. Hopefully. Fingers crossed.
Hannibal star and Windsor-knot fan Mads Mikkelsen said in the reunion:
In the aftermath, I did a few conventions and there was heavy participation from the fannibals. And obviously the first question that came to mind was always, "Is there going to be a fourth season?" and "Would you guys want to do it?" And I always spoke for everyone and said, "Yes."
We all wanted to pick it up if there was a new hope for it. So now we have a new home for the old version and we'll see where it takes us.
Co-producer Loretta Ramos commented about the fanbase:
I always say this... has been the most remarkable thing because the fans never went away.
It is just a constant flow and it's awesome. And it's the one thing that no matter what meeting I'm in, no matter what person I'm talking to, it comes up constantly, and it's always a gushing how much they love the show and it's just a remarkable life of its own.
Hannibal Is 'The Devil... And The Devil Is Pansexual'
A fan asked whether the budding romance between Will and Hannibal would be explored if Hannibal moved to Netflix.
Creator Bryan Fuller had a lot to say on the matter:
I think it's an interesting question. We were certainly driving towards an acknowledgment of that in the final season...
From our very first meeting with Mads, Mads redefined the character immediately for me because he was like, "He's the devil. He is this thing that is both of the world and outside of the world. And for me the devil is pansexual."
I think Will Graham is a heterosexual character, but sexuality is fluid. I think there would have to be a conversation where we would sit down and try to find what is the most authentic expression of their relationship.
It would be a conversation between Mads and Hugh and what feels true to the characters.
Up until the point that I wrote [the line], "Is Hannibal in love with me?" I was aware of the fan community wanting a sexualization between the characters... and I was entertained by that greatly and got a kick out of it, certainly. But I was also trying to be true to Thomas Harris and trying to be true to these characters. And trying to be true to Mad's declaration of Hannibal as the devil. So I think it's something I'm definitely interested in and it feels like we're were on a trajectory.
There Was A Purposeful Move Away From The Movie And The Book
Mikkelsen stated about Hannibal's original take on the story:
As much as we loved the books and what Anthony Hopkins did, and other people before him, we wanted to separate ourselves from that and create our own monster. Or angel, as I call him.
It's a tricky thing. You don't want to separate for the sake of separation. [We] want to be inspired by what they did and make it our own.
The Reunion Was The First Time Most Of The Cast Had Seen Each Other In A Long Time
"I almost didn't recognize you!" said Mikkelsen of Kacey Rohl, who played Abigail Hobbs, the protege of the demented doctor.
"It's good to see you again, Dad!"
If They Get A Season 4, Everyone Is Coming Back - Even The Dead People
Actress Hettienne Park, whose character Beverly Katz was sliced and diced in a key episode, noted she would be happy to return in some capacity... if she can have a fight scene. Creator Bryan Fuller then noted:
Believe me, if we get a Season 4, with all that mind palace bullsh*t of Will Graham's broken mind, everybody's coming back.
