Mads Mikkelsen, reflecting on his time filming the Hannibal TV show, shared a surprising and mouthwatering detail about the production. Despite being known for its gruesome thrills, the show also highlighted Hannibal Lecter's love for gourmet cuisine. Mikkelsen, who played Lecter, took on the additional role of cooking for the show's memorable food sequences, adding a unique touch to Lecter's palate. Find out more about Mikkelsen's experience in the quotes and video starting at the 7:47 mark below.
Why Mikkelsen Remains The Best Hannibal Actor
I accomplished everything by myself, yes, every single task was performed by me. One interesting thing I did was juggling and catching an egg. I happen to be quite skilled at juggling, so it was not too challenging for me. Initially, there were certain actions I took without understanding their purpose, but later on, everything became clear. For instance, when he smells the wine, people typically bring the glass close to their nose. However, he deliberately moves the glass away from him. I did it simply to add intrigue and have some fun with it. It seemed odd to others, but the truth is that his sense of smell is extremely sensitive, which is why he keeps the glass far away from his nose.
In the last four decades, Harris' original novel centered around Lecter has spawned various portrayals of Hannibal on the big screen. This began with Brian Cox in Michael Mann's Manhunter, followed by Anthony Hopkins' remarkable and Academy Award-winning portrayal in The Silence of the Lambs, as well as its sequels Hannibal and Red Dragon. Although the latter two films received mixed reviews from critics, Hopkins' rendition of Lecter consistently garnered praise, setting an exceptionally high standard for any future actors who would step into the role.
Mikkelsen's portrayal of Hannibal in the NBC show was a pleasant surprise for horror genre fans and fans of Harris' novels. Many argue that he surpassed Hopkins in his performance. Mikkelsen's take on the character was praised for its subtlety in exploring Hannibal's cannibalism and serial killer nature, as well as for the psychological games he played with Will and others. This unique approach captivated audiences, who became more interested in this secretive dynamic rather than the previously known portrayal of Hannibal as an imprisoned psychopath.
Furthermore, Mikkelsen's depiction of Hannibal received more consistent acclaim than Hopkins'. While Hopkins had an Oscar-winning debut as Hannibal, his subsequent sequel and prequel were poorly and modestly received, respectively. In contrast, Hannibal's cult following has grown since its cancellation, and the desire for a fourth season revival remains high. This recent popularity of the show surely factors into Mikkelsen's ranking above his predecessors. Hopefully, Mikkelsen will have the opportunity to showcase his gourmet cooking skills on screen again, whether it be in Hannibal or another project.
Source: GQ
