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Bryan Fuller Is Hopeful Hannibal May Live On Elsewhere

Cancellation isn't the bullet in the brain that it used to be for television series any more - in the age of online outlets and competing premium networks, the opportunity for a one-axed show to breathe new air somewhere else is more prominent than ever. And Hannibal showrunner Bryan Fuller is certainly remaining optimistic that his Silence of the Lambs prequel series, recently canceled at NBC, could earn a new lease on life either on the Internet or cable.

Hannibal

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Cancellation isn’t the bullet in the brain that it used to be for television series any more – in the age of online outlets and competing premium networks, the opportunity for a one-axed show to breathe new air somewhere else is more prominent than ever. And Hannibal showrunner Bryan Fuller is certainly remaining optimistic that his Silence of the Lambs prequel series, recently canceled at NBC, could earn a new lease on life either on the Internet or cable.

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Fuller revaled that “there has been interest from a few different parties,” but streaming and rights deals mean it’s necessary to sort through which outlets are even feasible as new homes for the series.

“Amazon makes the most sense, honestly, because they have been great partners with us for three seasons and we are exclusively streaming on Amazon. It feels like they have the interest in the program.”

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Indeed, Hannibal‘s deal with Amazon precludes any sort of arrangement with streaming giant Netflix, so Amazon is definitely the most equipped to accommodate a show of Hannibal‘s size. The company has been expanding its original programming of late, with acclaimed comedy Transparent and detective drama Bosch, so nabbing a critically adored series with a built-in fan base seems like a very smart move – especially if the plan is to directly compete with Netflix for subscribers.

Asked if he’d like to see Hannibal sit down at Amazon’s table or on another TV network, Fuller explained:

I see the benefits of both, but I do love the idea of continuing on with our partners at Amazon. But we’re at a dance and we want to be asked out on the floor. All suitors are welcome.

In the interview, the showrunner also cited low ratings as the main reason for Hannibal‘s cancellation, laying to rest rumors that his plans to introduce Clarice Starling next season led to a mess of rights issues that influenced NBC’s decision (Fuller: “Clarice wasn’t in the plan for the fourth season. It’s much cooler actually. The plan for Clarice would be season five”).

Of course, there’s always the chance that no network steps up to the plate and all of the actors move along. Fuller is well-aware of that, and he says that the currently airing third season will not disappoint fans if it’s to be the last go-round:

There will be a huge move for the show and it will be as satisfying an ending as it would have been in the first two seasons. So if we had ended with Will taking the fall for Hannibal’s crimes that would be a satisfying ending. Or if Hannibal is actually laying all of his friends to waste and walking out in the rain, that would be a satisfying ending. And this ending for season three would be as satisfying.

In lieu of a fourth-season pickup by some other outlet, Fuller is also intrigued by the idea of continuing the Hannibal story in a feature film:

Oh yeah, the plan for the fourth season would actually make a wonderful psychological thriller if we contained it to a movie. I would love to do a Hannibal movie with this cast.

Fannibals are clearly ravenous for more of the series, so it would come as a shock if no one made an offer to pick it up, but stranger things, unfortunately, have happened (Constantine, anyone?). If fans want to help, they can keep #SaveHannibal trending and hope that the right people are watching.

Hannibal airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. on NBC.