Red Dragon became a best-seller in 1981

Like in Silence of the Lambs, it sees Dr Lecter asked to help an FBI agent catch a serial killer.

Red Dragon has been turned into a movie before - as 1986's Manhunter, which starred Scot Brian Cox as Dr Lecter.

But film executives want to cash in on the popularity and profile of Sir Anthony's two other Hannibal films.

The new version will include parts of the book not seen in Manhunter.

Ted Tally, who adapted The Silence of the Lambs for the big screen, has already been signed up to the project.

And Brett Ratner - who directed Rush Hour and The Family Man - is in talks over a $4m (�2.9m) deal to take charge of the film, Variety says.

Award-winning

Dino and Martha De Laurentis, who worked on Hannibal, will be producers.

The Silence of the Lambs won five Oscars in 1991, including best picture, best actor for Sir Anthony and best screenplay for Tally.

It became one of the best-known films of the decade and took $131m (�94m) at US box offices.

The follow-up, Hannibal, was released earlier this year and showed Dr Lecter's return to America.

Headed by Gladiator and Alien director Ridley Scott, it earned $165m (�119m) at American cinemas.