 When Ted Tally (qv) was writing the screenplay for the film, he  suggested Jodie Foster (qv) for role of Clarice Starling. Foster  had been lobbying hard for the part from the start but when  Jonathan Demme (qv) was hired to direct the film, he felt she was  wrong for the part and wanted Michelle Pfeiffer (qv) instead.  Pfeiffer turned the part down because she felt the film was too  violent. Demme then agreed to meet Foster and hired her after only  one meeting because he said he could see her strength and  determination for the part that he felt was perfect for the  character of Clarice.