Pope Says Nope to Da Vinci Code Prequel
The Da Vinci Code courtesy Sony Pictures
Angel & Demons, prequel to
The Da Vinci Code, will have to re-create scenes inside Rome churches after the Vatican banned crews from shooting there.
Production began on the film, starring Tom Hanks, earlier this month. Producers had requested permits from Vatican officials to shoot in Santa Maria del Popolo and Santa Maria della Vittoria, two key locales in the film.
Rome diocese spokesman Father Marco Fibbi told
Variety the Vatican took issue with the film's message regarding Christianity. "We often provide our churches to productions...but not when a film pursues a type of fantasy that damages common religious sentiment, as is the case of
The Da Vinci Code," he said.
The Vatican rejected similar production requests from
The Da Vinci Code filmmakers several years ago.
Angels & Demons crews will use the former Royal Palace at Caserta in Naples to double as Vatican church interiors. -
J.R. Whalen
