Fans of NBC's Hannibal know how powerful his work of art has become in the fandom. "Fannibals" have come to feel very strongly, very protectively of this work. His tale was supposed to span four books, but because of a movie made almost 25 years ago, the rights are in the hands of a studio who doesn't want to share.

There is talk of a show to be developed on Lifetime -insert pause for face-desking here- called "Clarice." It is allegedly going to be about an FBI agent named Clarice who runs around, solving crimes. There will not be mention of the character Hannibal Lecter, also due to rights.

What kind of person wants to see Clarice without Hannibal? What's the point? It's like having Watson without Holmes; mildly interesting at first, then utterly redundant and ridiculous.

Bryan Fuller has worked hard to give us a dark, macabre storyline that is brilliant and gripping. But a large piece of Hannibal's story isn't able to be included. Mr. Fuller has even offered them the ability to use Hannibal if MGM would release Starling. They are quite adamantly refusing.

This is why I have come to the conclusion that we the fans need to show MGM how much we mean business. They are screwing with our characters, and Bryan is only able to do so much. Maybe this won't help at all. Maybe it will be laughed at. But what if it isn't? What if We The Fannibals can actually make a difference?

I'm asking you to please sign this petition if you believe in this cause. If you are a fan, show it by taking a few minutes to type your name and click enter. We need to rally together and show MGM that we want what's best for Clarice... and that is to be with Hannibal.