Michael Mann wanted William Friedkin to play the role of Hannibal Lecktor

One can understand why director Michael Mann asked (Friedkin) to play Hannibal Lecter in his 1986 thriller Manhunter. The role in that movie eventually went to Brian Cox.

"I thought he was putting me on," Friedkin says. "I said, 'You see me as Hannibal Lecter?' He said, 'I see you exactly as Hannibal Lecter. You don't appear to be psychotic, but you are.'"

https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/books/friedkin-connection-memoir-sees-director-as-feisty-as-ever

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Oh my, this would have been pure gold. For some reason, I am convinced Petersen & Friedkin would have had great chemistry together. I loved "To live & die in L.A." with Petersen, directed by Friedkin a year before "Manhunter".