Editing The Silence of the Lambs (film) (section)

===Development===
The movie is based on the [[The Silence of the Lambs (novel)|1988 novel]] by [[Thomas Harris]]. It was the second film to feature the character Hannibal Lecter; the first, ''[[Manhunter (film)|Manhunter]]'' (1986), directed by [[Michael Mann]], was based on the first novel in the Lecter series, [[Red Dragon (novel)|''Red Dragon'']] (1981). Prior to the release of the ''Silence of the Lambs'' novel, [[Orion Pictures]] partnered with [[Gene Hackman]] to adapt it for film. With Hackman set to direct and possibly star in as FBI agent [[Jack Crawford (character)|Jack Crawford]], negotiations were made to split the $500,000 cost of rights between Hackman and the studio.{{sfn|Tiech|2012|p=63}} The producers also had to acquire the rights to the Lecter character, which were owned by ''Manhunter'' producer [[Dino De Laurentiis]]. Owing to the financial failure of ''Manhunter'', De Laurentiis lent the rights to Orion for free.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|last=Bernstein|first=Jill|title=How Ridley Scott's Hannibal came to be made|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/feb/09/culture.features|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|access-date=March 13, 2014|date=February 8, 2001|archive-date=May 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140509215716/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/feb/09/culture.features|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 1987, [[Ted Tally]] was brought on to write the adaptation;{{sfn|Medavoy|2013|p=183}} Tally had crossed paths with Harris many times, with his interest in adapting ''The Silence of the Lambs'' originating from receiving an advance copy of the book from Harris.{{sfn|Konow|2012|p=459}} When Tally was about halfway through with the first draft, Hackman withdrew from the project and financing fell through. However, Orion co-founder [[Mike Medavoy]] encouraged Tally to keep writing as the studio took care of financing and searched for a replacement director.{{sfn|Engel|1995|p=110}} Orion sought Jonathan Demme to direct. With the screenplay not yet completed, Demme signed on after reading the novel.{{sfn|Kapsis|2008|pages=71–75}} From there, the project developed quickly; Tally said: "[Demme] read my first draft not long after it was finished, and we met. Then I was just startled by the speed of things. We met in May 1989 and were shooting in November. I don't remember any big revisions."{{sfn|Scott|2006|p=17}}