HANNIBAL LECTOR will be without his trademark slurp in the SILENCE OF THE LAMBS sequel HANNIBAL - due to bizarre studio wrangles. In the upcoming movie sequel, ANTHONY HOPKINS was forced to drop some of the characterizations he created for his Oscar-winning performance in the original film - because they weren't in the script.

Even though Hopkins improvised some of Hannibal's memorable traits, including his characteristic slurping "fava beans" scene, he won't be able to use the same acting moves for the sequel, because ORION - the studio who produced the original movie - owns the rights to those traits.

A source close to the actor says, "Even though it was his, he couldn't use it in Hannibal. It's sort of outrageous." (SVD/WNV/NFA)

Source: WENN