In a recent interview tied to his latest project, Brian Cox reflected on the experience of playing Hannibal Lecter on screen, prior to Anthony Hopkins’ iconic performance in The Silence of the Lambs, which led many to believe he had originated the role.
The esteemed actor, having crafted a storied career spanning over three decades, appears to have finally reconciled any lingering tension stemming from a bygone era of artistic rivalry. “A distinct character, properly speaking,” he cautioned. “I suggest that appreciating it’s akin to savoring a performance of Hamlet.” Everyone will encounter their own personal Hamlet moment. I decided to play it the way I thought Michael Mann would have wanted me to, so my partner and I came to an agreement on how to proceed. Tony performed it brilliantly. As I couldn’t bring myself to see it in London.
Because people assumed I was the “other” Hannibal, I was worried they’d say, “You’re playing at being Hannibal Lecters,” and so on. Despite our efforts to excel, we did our utmost in every way possible. Tony decided to explore an alternative path. Tony’s film earned widespread acclaim, winning the Academy Award and generating substantial profits. “I managed to make a significant profit of approximately $10,000.”
While the one rule that’s consistently applied to both novels appears to be their exploration of Hannibal Lecter. I once gave an interview to a newspaper, which resulted in a sensationalized headline announcing that I had previously played the iconic role of Hannibal Lecter. While initially accurate, this statement still conveyed an unintended tone of boasting, despite your intention to convey humility. After waking up one afternoon to the relentless ringing of my cellphone, chaos ensued. Tony’s then-wife called my agent, saying, “Tony’s quite upset about that.” I immediately phoned my agent and apologized. Since then, Tony and I have collaborated on a few projects together. We rarely bring up the topic. We would by no means abide by that rule.
Given the enigmatic portrayal by Mads Mikkelsen in the TV series, it’s still unclear what David Cox envisioned as his take on the nuanced serial killer character. You can head over to learn the entire interview.
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