It's been several months now since the NBC series "Hannibal" was canceled and the hopes for the series for to continue via Amazon or Netflix online streaming have died down. Actor Mads Mikkelsen, who played the villainous Dr. Hannibal Lecter, recently spoke with IGN and revealed what fans could expect if season 4 did happen.

First he revealed that the season 3 finale would have to be addressed. During the finale Hannibal and Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) fell off a cliff to their apparent death. If the series would continue, Mikkelsen stated that the show would first have to reveal how either one of them survived.

Given that the show is based on the books by Thomas Harris, it is speculated that both characters survived. In the source materials, Graham would retire yet still be haunted by his history with Hannibal. Hannibal himself would take on a new identity and find new victims.

Mikkelsen also confirmed that he was aware of some of the plot details for season 4. Showrunner Bryan Fuller had discussed some of the details with the cast and they were aware of the season's beginnings, although it is unlikely they are aware of how the season would eventually end. It is likely Mikkelsen knows how Hannibal and Graham survive their fall.

However, for all this to happen, he states that the show has to be picked up very soon as time is their primary opponent.

" I also think that it has to happen fairly soon, because in three or four years, it might not be there anymore, the energy," he explains. "The urge to do it from all kinds of people and from the fans. So if it happens, it's got to happen in the next year, I guess."

Speaking in a separate interview with Collider, the actor also stated that they were open to complete the story with a film instead of another season. However, he did note that the difference in pacing would be an issue they would have to contend with first.