Hannibal Lecter Prequel Begins Casting

Variety reports that Gong Li will play Lady Murasaki, the Japanese woman who teaches cultural sophistication to a young Hannibal Lecter in Behind the Mask. Peter Webber will direct the fifth installment of the Lecter franchise scripted by The Silence of the Lambs author Thomas Harris.

After the young Hannibal escapes from an orphanage and runs away to Paris, he takes refuge at the home of his uncle. His wife, Lady Murasaki, becomes the sociopath's teacher. This prequel will also show how Lecter grew fond of the taste of human flesh.

They are now casting three actors to play Lecter at ages 8, 14 and 20. Production on the film will begin in September in Prague.