Synopsis
One night, Professor Robert Langdon, a prominent symbolist, is urgently called to the Louvre: the museum’s curator has been murdered, but before dying, he left behind mysterious symbols… With the help of cryptologist Sophie Neveu, Langdon conducts an investigation and discovers signs hidden in the works of Leonardo da Vinci. All clues lead to a religious organization as mysterious as it is powerful, ready to do anything to protect a secret capable of destroying a two-thousand-year-old dogma…
From Paris to London, and then to Scotland, Langdon and Sophie do everything to decode the code and approach the secrets that challenge the very foundations of humanity…
Adapted from Dan Brown’s bestseller
Da Vinci Code is the adaptation of the famous eponymous novel by Dan Brown. Released in March 2003 in the United States and the following year in France, the religious thriller has sold over 40 million copies worldwide, making it a true social phenomenon. The rights to adapt the novel were purchased by Columbia as early as June 2003.
Premiere at Cannes & in Nice
Da Vinci Code was presented out of competition at the opening of the 59th Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2006. And in preview at the UGC cinemas in Nice: Variétés (May 17, in French), and Rialto (May 18, in Original Version).
Shooting in Europe
Shooting began on June 30, 2005, in Paris and ended in England on October 19 of the same year. Exceptionally, the French government allowed the film crew to shoot inside the Louvre itself.
Dan Brown keeps a close eye
Dan Brown, the author of the novel, closely followed the adaptation of his book by serving as an executive producer.
Ron Howard / Tom Hanks: Third round!
Da Vinci Code marks the third collaboration between director Ron Howard and actor Tom Hanks. The two men had previously worked together on Splash in 1984 and Apollo 13 in 1995.
Who will portray Robert Langdon?
Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, Ralph Fiennes, and George Clooney were all considered for the role of Professor Robert Langdon. While Russell Crowe was in a good position to obtain the role (having already collaborated several times with Ron Howard), it was ultimately Tom Hanks who was chosen at the last moment. The actor, however, had to grow his hair out to resemble the character described in the book.
All for one
Actresses Virginie Ledoyen, Ludivine Sagnier, Julie Delpy, Sophie Marceau, Judith Godrèche, Kate Beckinsale, and Linda Hardy were all considered to play the character of Sophie Neveu, which ultimately went to Audrey Tautou. Known internationally for her role in Amélie Poulain, she had already starred in an English-language film in 2003 in Dirty Pretty Things, far from home by Stephen Frears.
Clovis Cornillac as Silas?
French actor Clovis Cornillac revealed that he was approached to play the role of the albino Silas, eventually portrayed by Paul Bettany.
Filming prohibited…
British religious authorities denied Ron Howard the right to film in Westminster Abbey, criticizing the theories promoted by Dan Brown. The filming eventually took place in another London church, Lincol Church. However, the production was blocked by religious protesters and had to pay nearly $180,000 to associations to continue filming. In France, the church of Saint-Sulpice also refused to open its doors to the film crew.
Presidential intervention?
In an issue of Newsweek, director Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer explained that they had met for nearly an hour with President Jacques Chirac in December 2004, during which time they were in Paris auditioning actresses for the role of Sophie Neveu. During this meeting, the French Head of State allegedly offered his help to the two men to obtain the necessary permissions to shoot inside the Louvre museum, suggesting they recruit an actress, “the best friend of his daughter,” influential Claude Chirac, responsible for her father’s communication. “He half-seriously wondered aloud if Jean Reno, who plays French detective Bezu Fache, could be a bit better paid,” Ron Howard added, quoted in Newsweek. “It was hilarious. Fortunately, the contract was already sealed.” However, the President’s entourage has since denied these statements.
Ron Howard surrounded by his loyal team
To film Da Vinci Code, director Ron Howard was accompanied by producer Brian Grazer, who regularly follows him since Splash. He also called on screenwriter Akiva Goldsman, with whom he has collaborated on his last films: A Beautiful Mind and Cinderella Man.
