For Hopkins - is third time too much?: Some think this reprise of Hannibal is overdoing it

NEW YORK - Sometimes, the third time's the harm.

As "The Godfather Part III" showed, a revered franchise can getsneered at. Prequels and remakes are disappointing most of the time.

So could it be that "Red Dragon" - go-round No. 3 for AnthonyHopkins as Hannibal Lecter, a film that shows how Lecter got started,and a re-do of 1986's "Manhunter" - is one serving too many of theCannibal?

When "Red Dragon" director Brett Ratner approached Hopkins aboutit, he remembers Hopkins telling him: '"I can't do this joke again.I've done it already.'"

"I was mildly reticent about playing it again," Hopkins concededin a separate interview. "And then my agent said to me, …