Mads Mikkelsen believes a Hannibal revival is imminent: “It’s got to happen”

Mads Mikkelsen has revealed he is hopeful that Hannibal will make a return in the near future, claiming it has “got to happen.”

One of Mads Mikkelsen’s most notorious roles in his acting career was Dr. Hannibal Lecter in the NBC show titled after the same character.

Hannibal premiered in April 2013 and ran for three seasons, garnering critical acclaim and a loyal fanbase fascinated by the cannibal psychiatrist.

However, after a ‘shocking’ cancellation in 2015, fans have been left waiting to see whether or not the show will make a return to their screens. According to Mikkelsen, at least, that time will come.

Mikkelsen has previously spoken openly about returning to Hannibal, stating that he’s “ready to take it up again.”

Reuniting with Hannibal’s creator, Bryan Fuller on the set of Dust Bunny — an upcoming American horror thriller — Mikkelsen was able to get a “little whiff of the old times.” He later spoke with Business Insider, revealing both he and Fuller were keen to make a return and finish the infamous cannibal’s story.

“It’s no secret that all of us who were part of the cast and Bryan, we all want to go back,” Mikkelsen said.

“It’s got to happen eventually sooner than later because we’re not getting any younger, right? But the story itself can jump, it can have that gap, which is fine.”

He went on to explain that “it’s all about finding a home for it, but [there is] nothing concrete out there now.” While vastly original, the series did adapt several aspects of Thomas Harris’s Lecter books — most notably Red Dragon, Hannibal, and Hannibal Rising.

However, due to rights, NBC was unable to use material from the most famous book in the series, The Silence of the Lambs. With Mikkelsen and Fuller both keen to finish Hannibal, fans will have to wait and see whether or not Silence of the Lambs is finally brought to life.

“We love the show and there seem to be a lot of other people liking it as well.”