Hollywood loves serial killers. They're good for business. By definition, they keep coming back and entire franchises can be developed around their taste for blood. Hollywood's newest franchise is Hannibal Lecter, who with Hannibal makes his third appearance on screen. His first two appearances gave few indications that a franchise was in development, for Hannibal Lecter, while playing an important role in both The Silence of the Lambs and Manhunter, was a supporting character.