Michael Pitt Won't Return to "Hannibal"

Mason Verger has been recast. Lucky timing? Last time we saw Verger he was carving up his face to an unrecognizeable state.

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Complex Original

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Michael Pitt as Mason Verger on Hannibal is no more. The last time Pitt's Verger was seen, he was carving off chunks of his face, under the direction of Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) to feed to Will Graham's (Hugh Dancy) dogs. So it's pretty convenient to be able to recast the role of Verger at this juncture. 

Joe Anderson (Across the Universe) will play what's left of Verger this upcoming season. The posh meat-packer has the distinction of being Lecter's only victim that's survived the Doctor's grim games in Thomas Harris' novels. In addition to a new Verger, season three will have a new character named Cordell, Verger's personal doctor. Producer Bryan Fuller previously teased that the two characters will share a similar penchant for sadism. But of course.

Anderson is certainly enthusiastic. He's already posted his new, fleshy look to his Instagram:

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The decision not to return was Pitt’s, according to TVLine. Pitt can next be seen in Jackie Earle Haley's mobster movie Criminal Activitiesco-starring John Travolta and Dan Stevens. And the similarly titled Criminal co-starring Ryan Reynolds, Kevin Costner, Tommy Lee Jones and Gary Oldman (who, coincidentally, played Mason Verger in Ridley Scott's Hannibal). 

NBC's Hannibal will return in 2015.

[via TVLine]

 

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