Da Vinci Code movie banned from filming in church (Tom Hanks stars in this movie)

viggofan · June 16th, 2008, 10:05 PM

All AP Movie News
Da Vinci Code movie banned from filming in church
Monday June 16 10:51 AM ET

Rome's diocese said Monday it has barred the producers of "Angels & Demons" from filming in two churches for the prequel to the "The Da Vinci Code" the popular book and film that angered many Catholic leaders.
Producers of the film, directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks, were turned down because the movie "does not conform to our views," said Monsignor Marco Fibbi, a spokesman for the diocese. The crew had asked to film in the churches of Santa Maria del Popolo and Santa Maria della Vittoria, two architectural jewels in the heart of Rome that include paintings by Caravaggio, sculptures by Bernini and a chapel designed by Raphael.
Permission was denied in 2007, but the issue surfaced only now that filming is ongoing in Rome, Fibbi said. The Sony-produced film was put on hold during the Writers Guild of America strike that ended in February and is now scheduled for release in May 2009.
Fibbi's comments first were reported this week by the Italian entertainment magazine "TV Sorrisi e Canzoni." "It's a film that treats religious issues in a way that contrasts with common religious sentiment," Fibbi told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "We would be helping them create a work that might well be beautiful but that does not conform to our views."

Fibbi acknowledged that the controversy over writer Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code" and its blockbuster movie version had weighed on the decision.
The story drew anger and prompted calls for boycotts by church leaders worldwide with the idea that Jesus married and fathered children and by depicting the conservative Catholic movement, Opus Dei, as a murderous cult.
"This is a prequel to 'The Da Vinci Code' and it's clear that the theme is similar," Fibbi said. He added that the ban would not stop the crew from filming the exterior of the churches.
Brown's "Angels and Demons" is a religious thriller combining an ancient secret brotherhood called the Illuminati, code-cracking, a papal conclave and a high-tech weapon threatening to destroy the Vatican.
It features Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon of "The Da Vinci Code" fame, played by Hanks in the movie. Calls to Sony Pictures in London and Rome were not immediately returned Monday.
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Sleuth · June 17th, 2008, 01:17 AM

this book is so much better than Da Vinci Code.. hope they can figure something out because i am super anxious to see this.

viggofan · June 17th, 2008, 06:48 AM

I have the book but haven't read it yet. I really like the DaVinci Code ( the movie). Didn't read the book although many have told me they really liked it. I am looking forward to this movie too if it is done as well as the other.

aabbcc · June 17th, 2008, 06:54 AM

I was quite looking forward to The DaVinci Code and was disappointed to find it rather boring. I ended up turning it off halfway through and going to bed.

I keep telling myself I should watch the whole thing, but I have yet to muster the enthusiasm.

viggofan · June 17th, 2008, 06:57 AM

Did you read the book the DaVinci Code? I ask b/c people I know who read the book didn't care for the movie.

aabbcc · June 17th, 2008, 07:00 AM

Nope ... haven't read the book. I was quite amused, though, to find the book in the religious section of my local bookstore with the bibles and whatnot. Um ... it's FICTION, people! But then again, I guess some people would consider the Bible to be fiction as well.

viggofan · June 17th, 2008, 07:04 AM

lol people seem to forget that I guess.

well I hear that Angels and Demons was supposed to be fantastic so I too am hoping that they can figure something out.

Why can't they find an abandoned church or make a set or something if they are not allowed to film in a real church.

I realize that may be unrealistic but hey ya never know.

sputnik · June 17th, 2008, 07:47 AM

i don't like either of these books and i especially hated the da vinci code. the writing sucks! and the movie was atrocious.

A*O · June 17th, 2008, 09:30 AM

As usual, the Da Vinci Code book is way better than the movie which sucked IMO. I read the book when it first came out and it was an enjoyable holiday read, nothing more. The Catholic Church is certainly giving the conspiracy theorists plenty to chew on with its attitude towards the book/movie. If it's so much BS why do they make such a fuss about it?

Novice · June 17th, 2008, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by viggofan

Did you read the book the DaVinci Code? I ask b/c people I know who read the book didn't care for the movie.

I've read the book seen the film (which was better than i expected it to be!) and I've also heard the audio book, again, better than expected.

I'm about to get the audio book for the Mr of the others as he's enjoyed Da Vinci Code so much.... but... I will be honest the film & audio books were better than the book was. And it's not often I find that.