January 25, 2001. Copyright, 2001, Graphic News. All rights reserved

HANNIBAL THE CANNIBAL IS BACK
By Mark Samms

Stars: Sir Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, Gary Oldman, Ray Liotta
Director: Ridley Scott
Writers: David Mamet, Steven Zaillian, Thomas Harris
Producers: Dino and Martha de Laurentiis

LONDON, January 25, Graphic News:  MILLIONS of fans have been waiting so long for this sequel to the Oscar-winning Silence of the Lambs that it is, almost by definition, likely to be something of an anti-climax.

Early indications were not encouraging. The project got off to a shaky start, with Anthony Hopkins taking a lot of persuading to reprise his role as the eponymous Lecter, and Jodie Foster finally deciding not to play it again as FBI agent Clarice Starling.

The peculiar chemistry generated by these two was at the core of LambsÕ success, and it remains to be seen whether Julianne Moore (Magnolia, The Lost World: Jurassic Park) is able to strike up the same compelling relationship with her co-star.

However, with the resurgent Ridley Scott (Gladiator, Alien, Thelma and Louise) in the directorÕs chair, the ever-reliable Gary Oldman (Air Force 
One, The Fifth Element) hamming it up as LecterÕs crazed nemesis Mason Verger, and the exploits of some man-eating pigs chronicled in rather unforgiving detail, the trip is unlikely to be a boring one.

Indeed, this movieÕs success at the box office has been taken so much for granted that there is already talk of a prequel. Thomas HarrisÕ first Lecter novel was Red Dragon, and it is rumoured that Hopkins has already been approached.

And Another Thing:
After Silence of the Lambs was released, it is said that Anthony Hopkins used to amuse himself by creeping into Los Angeles movie theatres unnoticed after the lights had gone down. As the credits rolled, he would tap the person in front on the shoulder and watch their reaction as they turned round when he enquired in his best Lecter tones: ÒMay I ask if you enjoyed my little efforts?Ó

Release dates:
Feb 7 or Feb 8: World premiere at Berlin Film Festival, Germany
Feb 9: United States
Feb 14: Venezuela
Feb 15: Argentina, Australia, Chile, Germany, Peru
Feb 16: UK, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Panama
Feb 22: Israel, Netherlands, Singapore
Feb 23: Denmark, Norway, Finland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden
Feb 24: South Korea
Feb 28: France, Belgium, Switzerland
Mar 1: Hong Kong
Mar 2: South Africa
Mar 3: Taiwan
Mar 8: Lebanon
Mar 14: Egypt
Mar 16: Thailand
Mar 23: Greece
Apr 6: Turkey
Apr 11: Indonesia
Apr 13: India
Apr 19: Malaysia
May 10: New Zealand

Sources: Imdb.com, Empire