The Roman Catholic Church yesterday declared two churches in Rome off limits to Ron Howard's film crews as they resume production of Angels and Demons, the film adaption of Dan Brown's prequel to The Da Vinci Code starring Tom Hanks, the Associated Press reported. Filming had been delayed due to the writers' strike. Archbishop Velasio De Paolis said that Brown had "turned the gospels upside down to poison the faith," and banned the filmmakers from shooting scenes in Santa Maria del Popolo and Santa Maria della Vittoria in which cardinals are found murdered and mutilated.
Two years ago, Vatican officials called for a boycott of the film The Da Vinci Code for similar reasons. Of the recent banning, the Times in London quoted Father Marco Fibbi, a spokesman for the Diocese of Rome, as saying, "Normally we read the script but this time it was not necessary. The name Dan Brown was enough."
Angels and Demons was published three years before The Da Vinci Code. Both are best-sellers. The film Angels and Demons is scheduled to open in theaters next May.
