While NBC may have decided to cancel Hannibal following the conclusion of the third season, it might not be curtains for our favourite cannibal just yet, with producer Bryan Fuller revealing that discussions are underway with a number of rival platforms with a view to making a fourth season.
"I know there have been discussions on a couple of fronts with Netflix and Amazon," explains Fuller to Variety. "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."
Of course, Netflix could always attempt to buy out rights to the first three seasons from Amazon, but it would certainly complicate the procedure. And indeed, NBC's non-participation may yet put off some potential partners…
"All I know is that things are being discussed with venues to see how interested they actually are," continues Fuller. "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."
As to what might be covered in a fourth season, Fuller is a little more expansive. "I don’t know how much darker we can possibly go," he muses. "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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