Why Brian Cox's Hannibal Lecter deserves more recognition than Anthony Hopkins

In an interview related to the animated film The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, actor Brian Cox discussed his experience playing the infamous character Hannibal Lecter in the 1986 film Manhunter. This performance came two years prior to Anthony Hopkins' portrayal in The Silence of the Lambs, which earned Hopkins an Academy Award and extensive acclaim. Cox expressed his views on the differing interpretations of the character, stating that each actor brings their own unique approach to roles, just as interpretations of Hamlet vary among performers. He also recounted how he initially avoided watching Hopkins' portrayal in London due to concerns about public comparison. Instead, Cox traveled to Paris to see it, demonstrating his respect for Hopkins’ work while trying to navigate the potential for perceived rivalry between their performances. After the interview gained media attention, Cox clarified that his comments about being the 'first Hannibal Lecter' were misinterpreted, leading to a discussion with Hopkins' then-partner who noted that Hopkins was upset. This prompted Cox to reach out and apologize, establishing a rule between both actors to refrain from discussing their experiences as Lecter. The conversation also left a question about how Cox views Mads Mikkelsen's portrayal of the character in the television series Hannibal, which was not addressed in the interview, leaving fans curious about Cox's opinion on this interpretation.