Bryan Fuller's Hannibal TV series may have been cancelled by NBC, but that doesn't mean it's dead in the water just yet, with producers of the show now chatting to both Netflix and Amazon about the potential for it to come to their platforms.
Speaking openly about his own desire to continue moving on with the show despite now not having a network, Fuller could just be wishful thinking, but discussed the topic in typical open fashion with Variety.
"I know there have been discussions on a couple of fronts with Netflix and Amazon. But I believe our deal with Amazon precludes a Netflix component, so I think Netflix, who has expressed interest and has expressed great enthusiasm for the show... I don't think contractually with our Amazon contract, they can pick up the show."
Though it looks unlikely for Hannibal to make the jump to Netflix, something similar has happened in the past, with Hulu having exclusive rights to the first five seasons of Community before Yahoo! Screen paid for the recently released sixth season. Netflix could therefore do the same thing, buying out Amazon's rights to seasons 1-3 or waiting until the contract they have with the show is up.
Fuller continued: "All I know is that things are being discussed with venues to see how interested they actually are. I don't know to what extent. Without an NBC component, it's a little complicated. Even some of our international partners, because there's no NBC component, will pass on a fourth season."
If he does get the chance to delve into the realms of Hannibal Lecter for a fourth season though, Fuller already has plans.
"I don't know how much darker we can possibly go. The concept for the season 4 arc is one that is inherently twisted, but also such a dynamic shift from where we were the first three seasons that there is also a broadening of the palette to include a lot more humour. The planned arc for season 4 is a very exciting one, so I would love to see the show continue, whether it be as a series or even condensed into a thriller as a film, as well. But with any of these things, it's so hard to predict which way interest would fall."
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