Which actor portrayed Hannibal Lecter in Ridley Scott's 2001 film?

Anthony Hopkins portrayed Hannibal Lecter in Ridley Scott's 2001 film Hannibal. Hopkins returned to the role after winning an Academy Award for his performance in The Silence of the Lambs, which established Lecter as one of cinema's most memorable villains.

Hannibal adapts Thomas Harris's 1999 novel and follows Lecter years after his escape from custody. He is living under the assumed identity of Dr. Fell in Florence, while FBI agent Clarice Starling investigates his whereabouts and Mason Verger, one of his surviving victims, seeks revenge.

The film was directed by Scott and co-stars Julianne Moore as Clarice Starling, replacing Jodie Foster from the earlier film. Gary Oldman plays Mason Verger, while the Florence setting gives the sequel a more elaborate European atmosphere.

The other options are all associated with Lecter in different productions: Brian Cox played him in Manhunter, Gaspard Ulliel played a younger Lecter in Hannibal Rising, and Mads Mikkelsen played him in the television series Hannibal.