NBC Buys Bryan Fuller’s Hannibal

 

NBC has bought Hannibal, an hourlong drama from Gaumont International Television and Pushing Daisies creator Bryan Fuller, Deadline reports.

Announced in September, the project centers on the early days of Hannibal Lecter, the brilliant psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer featured in the series of horror novels by Thomas Harris. Specifically, Hannibal will flesh out the backstory of the 1981 novel Red Dragon, with Lecter facing off against FBI profiler Will Graham. Fuller (Dead Like Me, Wonderfalls) will executive produce with Martha De Laurentiis (Hannibal Rising, Red Dragon).

According to the website, Fuller is developing the script against a 13-episode commitment, meaning if the network likes what it sees Hannibal will skip the pilot stage and go straight to series.

Deadline also reports that Fuller delivered a draft for his Munsters remake Friday to NBC, which could make a move as early as next week. Envisioned as a potential summer or event series, Fuller’s take on the 1960s sitcom is expected to delve into the characters’ origins, something not addressed in the original series.