Young Hannibal: Behind the Mask is a prequel to The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal, Manhunter and Red Dragon. It is an adaptation of Behind the Mask and will tell the story of how Hannibal develops his particular appetite for evil and becomes the sadistic and infamous killer of the previous films and books.

The film is being directed by Peter Webber from a screenplay by Harris. It is filmed in Barrandov Studios in Prague. Distribution in the United States will be by The Weinstein Company.

Cast

Gaspard Ulliel – Hannibal Lecter

Veronika Bellová – First Woman Captive

Matthew Blood-Smyth – First Police Officer

Richard Brake – tba

Brian Caspe – Sneaky Officer

Katrine De Candole – Truck Driver

David Fellowes – Lawyer

Li Gong – Lady Murasaki

Rhys Ifans – tba

Todd Kramer – Desk Officer

Lana Likic – Grutas's Maid

Charles Maquignon – Paul 'The Butcher' Momund

Ivan Marevich – Grentz

Kevin McKidd – tba

Denis Menochet – Chief Of Police

Ivo Novák – Russian soldier

Aaron Thomas – Young Hannibal Lecter

Dominic West – Inspector

Synopsis

This prequel shows a young Hannibal Lecter in three different phases of his life: from childhood in Lithuania, to his teen years in France, up to his time in United States before his capture by FBI agent Will Graham in Red Dragon.

The exact plot is unknown, but it is expected that it will expand on the flashbacks from Hannibal in which we find out the catalyst for Lecter's character stems from the horrific murder and cannibalization of his sister.

Trivia

Peter Webber wanted Mikael Persbrandt for the role of the soldier who eats Hannibal Lecter's parents, but Mikael Persbrandt had at that time already signed on for another film, and was busy with a play in Sweden.