Pedro Pascal wants to play Hannibal Lecter in reboot, a role that could lead him into one of cinema’s most chilling characters, if Hollywood decides to revisit the iconic villain. This announcement comes as Pascal, already a versatile presence across major franchises, continues to expand his acting achievements in both television and film.
Pedro Pascal’s Rapid Rise and Packed Career
Pedro Pascal has quickly become one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood. Recent years have seen him take on major roles such as Joel Miller in HBO’s The Last of Us, and he is currently promoting his upcoming romantic comedy The Materialists, in which he plays a savvy financier competing for Dakota Johnson’s character’s heart. Despite his jam-packed schedule and the demands of press events, Pascal is also occupied filming Avengers: Doomsday, where he will make his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe through The Fantastic Four: First Steps. On top of this, he is set to reprise his role as Din Djarin in the next chapter of the Star Wars saga with The Mandalorian & Grogu.
Pascal Names Hannibal Lecter as His Dream Role
In the midst of a whirlwind of promotional work, actors are often asked about roles they aspire to play in future projects. Pascal, experienced with roles in both DC and Marvel universes, was recently put on the spot during a rapid-fire questions round alongside Dakota Johnson on Vogue’s YouTube channel. When asked about his dream role, Pascal responded decisively by naming Hannibal Lecter, the notorious serial killer created by Thomas Harris. Originally introduced in Red Dragon, Lecter truly became infamous through The Silence of the Lambs, a role that defined psychological thrillers for decades.
Hannibal Lecter’s legacy on screen has been shaped by Anthony Hopkins, whose performance captured audiences and critics alike, earning him an Academy Award. Hopkins later returned for two additional films based on Harris’s novels before Mads Mikkelsen reimagined the character on NBC’s acclaimed yet short-lived television series Hannibal. Despite Lecter’s remarkable impact, the character has not returned to screens since the series’ controversial cancellation. Rumors have started to circulate about a new movie, which could be the opportunity for Pascal to step into his most sinister part yet.
The Qualities That Could Make Pascal a Gripping Lecter
Pascal’s immediate answer during the Vogue interview was met with laughter from Dakota Johnson, yet his prior work suggests the idea may be more than just an offhand remark. Through performances such as Joel Miller in The Last of Us, Pascal has demonstrated a mastery of characters who balance a lethal edge with emotional depth. While Miller may not revel in violence quite like Harris’s Lecter, he is no stranger to moral ambiguity and the psychological demands of survival.
Should any reboot choose to highlight the more sophisticated and magnetic aspects of Lecter’s persona, Pascal’s roles as Harry in The Materialists and Whiskey in Kingsman: The Golden Circle show his range in portraying characters with charm, intelligence, and a knack for persuasion. Both these roles show Pascal’s ability to blend confidence with danger, a combination that defines Lecter in both literature and film.
Obstacles to Casting and the Age Factor
The major barrier to Pascal’s potential casting as Hannibal Lecter is his overwhelming professional schedule. Once Avengers: Doomsday wraps, he is expected to transition immediately to Avengers: Secret Wars, another major production for Marvel Studios. The studio has shown a desire to accelerate timelines for follow-ups like the Fantastic Four sequel in order to minimize delays between installments, which adds further demands on Pascal’s availability. Added to this is his ongoing involvement with the Star Wars universe—his character Din Djarin remains central to the storylines crafted by Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, providing little clarity on when he might exit or take a break from the franchise.
Despite his full calendar, there is historical precedent supporting Pascal’s suitability for the role. Anthony Hopkins was five years younger than Pascal at the time of The Silence of the Lambs, showing that Lecter does not have to be portrayed by a young actor. With this in mind, Pascal may still find logic and time to enter the world of Harris’s killers if studio schedules and negotiations allow.
Implications for Pascal, Hollywood, and the Hannibal Franchise
The prospect of Pedro Pascal portraying Hannibal Lecter raises major questions for both Hollywood and the wider fan community. For Pascal, the chance to reinterpret one of the most psychologically complex villains in entertainment would be another display of his range, potentially inviting a new generation to engage with Harris’s stories. Studios like Marvel and Lucasfilm—represented here by frequent collaborators such as Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni—would need to navigate scheduling if Pascal is to explore new territory.
Given the long gap since Hannibal Lecter last appeared on screen, a reboot featuring a star like Pascal would inject fresh energy into the franchise. It would also challenge audiences with a familiar story rendered through new choices and perspectives. Only time will tell whether Hollywood is ready for Pascal’s darkest transformation, or if rumors of new movies will open the door to this layered and unresolved possibility.
