Excerpt, "Despite Hopkins being the defining performer for the character, co-star Jodie Foster recently revealed other actors who were considered for the part, which included Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman. When introducing the film at the British Film Institute, Foster shared a variety of insider information about the production, pointing out that the aforementioned actors were considered for the role but that director Jonathan Demme specifically wanted a British actor." Can you imagine an Al Pacino - Hannibal Lecter? Or a De Niro one for that matter?