You worked with Ridley Scott on his previous film, "Gladiator". Is that what led to "Hannibal"?
I was reading Thomas Harris' book while we were doing "Gladiator" and I said to Ridley "I've got this crazy idea, let's make it a romantic comedy." I really wasn't sure if he was going to do the movie as he was so focused on "Gladiator". But we just kept talking about it. At one point, another composer who I really admire was going to score it, but that didn't work out so I ended up doing it by default more than anything.
What do you mean "a romantic comedy"?
It is a romantic comedy; if you don't laugh then you're not as weird as me. It's the ultimate in romance gone mad.
How did you approach composing the score?
I was working on "Mission: Impossible 2" and as soon as I finished that I went to Florence and stayed there throughout the summer, slowly coming up with ideas by looking at paintings.
Did the character of Hannibal inspire you himself?
Just hanging out with Anthony Hopkins in Florence helps.
Did he compose his own piano piece for Hannibal to play in one scene, which was ultimately not used?
Yes, he's a deeply romantic composer, East European, you know? He could easily have been a pupil of Chopin. His piece would've worked if that scene had come later in the movie, but it was too early to be romantic. I think he still likes me, but it was my decision to take it out and replace it with Bach's Goldberg variations.
Read an interview with Dino De Laurentiis, the producer of "Hannibal".
