ROME - 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.
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(Photo: AP Images / Andrew Medichini)An external view of Santa Maria del Popolo church in Rome Monday, June 16, 2008. Rome's diocese 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.
Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Funny thing (in a sad way) seeing "Opie" who grew up with his TV father, Andy Griffith singing gospel hymns on nearly every episode, grow up to make movies that poison people against the one and only true love that anyone can ever have, our beautiful LORD GOD!
Yes, please pray for Ron Howard and Tom Hanks, and all who are associated in the production, that they stop hating GOD and receive our great YESHUA as their LORD and SAVIOR!
I would like to see our great LORD to reach down and shut the production down altogether but I also believe HE is so wise, powerful and precise that HE can and will do a shaking in everyone involved in the production of these kind of movies as well as those foolish enough to actually waste their time to see it and bring them to full on salvation!
JESUS CHRIST is the greatest Intercessor of all and HE expects all of HIS followers to be intercede continually by the HOLY SPIRIT until HE returns (which is very soon!). The body of CHRIST needs to be praying now like we've never prayed before!
GOD grace upon you all!
This movie is actually a prequel to The Da Vinci code. I have the book and tried to watch the movie but kept falling asleep, so I really haven't read the story. lol I understand why The Catholic Church wouldn't want them filming there. They have the right to say no. They make the Catholic church out to be pretty bad in those books. Would you want a film maker saying, "I like to film a scene in your house that makes you look like murdering, truth concealing, savages!" I wouldn't give this too much credibility. No need to get heated. Just a fictional story, The only thing Hollywood listens to is money. Don't spend money to see it and they'll eventually quit making them.
Typical fiction...you always have to have a sequel..
Since when did burning heretics go out of style? :) It certainly stopped them from doing it.
May God have mercy on Dan Brown's soul and other cooperators of evil, that they might be saved through Jesus Christ.
Rightly stated in support of Christianity!
Do you think its possible they are more worried that this movie will be as bad as the first one?
If we were smart, we'd ALL deny these film makers access to our churches, since they're trying to achieve credibility in their attacks against Christianity.
GOOD FOR THE DIOCESE OF ROME, I HOPE THEY RUN RON HOWARD AND OTHER CATHOLIC HATERS' OUT OF ITALY!