Angels and Demons

[Brian in Mesa]

Sony Eyeing Da Vinci Code Follow-Up
Source: Times Online
May 22, 2006

With Sony Pictures' The Da Vinci Code earning a massive $224 million worldwide its first weekend, Times Online is reporting that the studio is already looking towards a possible follow-up.

According to Jeff Blake, vice chairman of Sony Pictures, the studio is hoping to bring another novel by Dan Brown, Angels and Demons, to the big screen:

Tom Hanks could return to star as the Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon, who appeared in the book and will be the hero of Brown's next novel. Mr Blake said: "We are very interested in filming Angels and Demons. We hope that the relationship with Dan Brown will be a long one. That could be the next project."

Angels and Demons was the reclusive author's third novel after he gave up his job as an English teacher. It tells the story of Langdon's brush with a shadowy secret society, the Illuminati, and his frantic quest for the world's most powerful energy source, in the company of a beautiful Italian physicist whose father, a brilliant physicist, has been murdered.

"The Da Vinci Code" was Brown's fourth book.

 

[PortlandCardFan]

Angels and Demon should translate into a much better movie. I enjoyed A&D more than DaVinci Code.

 

[Chaplin]

Angels and Demons is a much better book than DaVinci Code, and a lot of it actually takes place in Italy rather than London. I believe there are scenes in the Vatican itself, which would probably cause a problem. In fact, the whole climax of the book would be a massive undertaking, IIRC.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

I liked this book as well...much better than Da Vinci...

However, I felt it got too preachy at the end, with the villian giving a big speech...

But I really enjoyed it...

 

[Renz]

It tells the story of Langdon's brush with a shadowy secret society, the Illuminati, and his frantic quest for the world's most powerful energy source, in the company of a beautiful Italian physicist whose father, a brilliant physicist, has been murdered.

That happens to me a lot, running into beautiful Italian physicists.

 

[NEZCardsfan]

I liked this book as well...much better than Da Vinci...

However, I felt it got too preachy at the end, with the villian giving a big speech...

But I really enjoyed it...

I agree pretty much whole heartedly with this book. I thought it was a pretty fun read until the end. Then it just got really plot twisted up. And I just thought all of that was unnecessary.

And everybody says Angels and Demons is better.....and I didn't really like that. So I have no reason to view or read DaVinci.

This isn't because I'm a Catholic. I love the Exorcist.

 

[Chaplin]

That happens to me a lot, running into beautiful Italian physicists.

One vote for Monica Belucci as the beautiful Italian physicist.

 

[NEZCardsfan]

I can't remember the name of the female character right now (Vera??) but she wasn't described as stunning, if I recall. Dan Brown described her as having a very fit, Yoga Master body. Her face was attractive but not beautiful.

I imagine her to be overtanned and careworn.

But that won't work for a movie.

 

[Renz]

One vote for Monica Belucci as the beautiful Italian physicist.

I second the nomination!

 

[jenna2891]

I can't remember the name of the female character right now (Vera??) but she wasn't described as stunning, if I recall. Dan Brown described her as having a very fit, Yoga Master body. Her face was attractive but not beautiful.

I imagine her to be overtanned and careworn.

But that won't work for a movie.

how about lena olin? that could be believable in a movie sort of way.

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[Mike Olbinski]

how about lena olin? that could be believable in a movie sort of way.

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You are SO addicted to Alias

 

[jenna2891]

You are SO addicted to Alias

at least i didn't suggest victor garber for the lead role...

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Akiva Goldsman Back for Angels & Demons
Source: Variety
May 23, 2006

Sony Pictures has signed The Da Vinci Code screenwriter Akiva Goldsman to adapt author Dan Brown's first religious thriller, Angels & Demons. "Code" grossed $231.8 million worldwide in its first five days.

Though development of Angels & Demons is still in the early stages, Variety says the studio's also planning to reassemble The Da Vinci Code producing team of Brian Grazer and John Calley for the project.

No deals are set yet for director Ron Howard or star Tom Hanks to return, but both would have first crack at the project.

"Code" was Brown's second novel centering on Robert Langdon, a Harvard professor who's an expert in religious symbols. "Angels & Demons," published in 2000, introduced the Langdon character.

In "Angels," Langdon's character tries to solve a murder and unravel a plot by an ancient group, the Illuminati, to blow up the Vatican during a papal conclave.

 

[Yuma]

I liked this book better for 9/10's of it, but the ending for the Davinci code was better.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Akiva Goldsman

$4 million

 

[Nasser22]

I liked the entire book. I think this one will turn out into a better movie...hopefully.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Hanks, Howard Back for Angels & Demons
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
April 12, 2007

According to The Hollywood Reporter, The Da Vinci Code director Ron Howard and star Tom Hanks are in final talks to return for the prequel Angels & Demons.

The trade says that Columbia Pictures, which benefited from "Da Vinci's" $758 million worldwide box office earnings, has set an early January start date and has hired A-list casting directors Jane Jenkins and Debbie McWilliams to fill out the thriller's supporting roles.

Akiva Goldsman is adapting Dan Brown's novel, in which Harvard professor Robert Langdon tries to solve a murder and unravel a plot by an ancient group, the Illuminati, to blow up the Vatican during a papal conclave.

The studio is eyeing a December 19, 2008 release.

 

[Stout]

The first movie sucked...it was just so 'blah'. Hanks was uninspired, the movie had no pacing, and it seemed to try sooo hard to be an epic and failed sooo miserably. The only good part, really, was McKellan.

 

[Matt L]

I agree with that, they took a decent story and turned it into a garbage film.

 

[PortlandCardFan]

After reading both 'Da Vinci Code' and 'Angels and Demons' I came away with 'Angels and Demons' being a better movie if they decided to do so. 'DVC' just didn't have enough action to keep your attention in a movie setting.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Da Vinci Code Sequel Pushed Back
Source: Variety
November 16, 2007

Sony Pictures said Friday it is postponing production on Angels & Demons, the prequel to last year's megahit The Da Vinci Code starring Tom Hanks.

According to Variety, "Da Vinci Code" screenwriter Akiva Goldsman's script was rushed to meet the WGA's Nov. 1 deadline for reaching a new contract with producers, and came in with insurmountable problems. Furthermore, no cast had signed on beyond Hanks.

The Vatican-set thriller was scheduled to begin shooting in February, with Ron Howard at the helm. The studio had set a Christmas 2008 release date.

"While the filmmakers and the studio feel the screenplay is very strong, we do not believe it is the fully realized production draft required of this ambitious project," a Sony spokesperson said. "At this time, there is no new start date for 'Angels & Demons,' but we are setting a release date of May 15, 2009, and are hopeful to deliver the movie worldwide to theaters on that date. We do not expect any other film on our 2008 slate to be affected."

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[SuperSpck]

Furthermore, no cast had signed on beyond Hanks.

The Vatican-set thriller was scheduled to begin shooting in February, with Ron Howard at the helm. The studio had set a Christmas 2008 release date.

Well, I suppose Ron Howard could come out from behind the camera during scenes and play Hanks' new love interest, Opiena.

 

[former user 1]

"At this time, there is no new start date for 'Angels & Demons,' but we are setting a release date of May 15, 2009.."

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Casting updates:

Ayelet Zurer (female lead)
Tom Hanks (Langdon)
Ewan McGregor (a Vatican insider)

 

[Gaddabout]

They're still going to make this movie?