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Angels & Demons

FYI to all travelers to Rome in the next few days. Tom Hanks, Ron Howard, and the crew of Dan Brown's "prequel" to the DaVinci Code are currently filming in Rome. Filming has been ongoing since June 5 and was expected to take 3 weeks. With the visit by the president last week and the weird weather we've been having, the shooting has been extended from 3 to 4 weeks. You can do a search for Angels & Demons and find still photo shots (and some you-tube video) of the filming crews. Unfortunately, ONLY the Italian newspapers are giving info on where "today's" shooting might be - and some of that has been incorrect!

Last week, Tom Hanks stopped shooting at the Pantheon and escorted a father and bride into a church the filming crews had blocked. He even carried her wedding dress train (Italians LOVED it!). This week he injured his hand slightly and shooting was delayed.

So if you're in town, and you've read the book, you know the spots to go! So far they have done Popoplo and St. Peters' Square... you're best bet might be a Piazza Navona or Castel San'Angelo!

Good luck!!
Ciao,
Ron

Posted by
3262 posts

Thanks Ron--it's very exciting to get up-to-the minute reports directly from Rome! I appreciate the info.
Sharon in Atlanta

Posted by
32345 posts

Ron, thanks for the info. I was talking to someone last week that was reading the book, and that's probably something I should do before the movie is released.

It was interesting to read your comments about Tom taking the time to help the bride into the Church. It sounds like he has more PR "smarts" than Cruise and his entourage when they held their big wedding in Italy.

Apparently the movie won't be released until 15 May 2009, so I'll have lots of time to read the book!

Cheers!

Posted by
440 posts

if you intend to purchase and read Angels and Demons, buy the special edition with photos, drawing etc. Cracking the code is very easy.

Posted by
424 posts

How exciting. I didn't realize that Hanks was going to do the prequel. I loved that book more than DC. I wanted to take the "Angels and Demons" Tour in Rome but didn't have time last year. It will no doubt be even more popular now that the movie will be coming out.

Posted by
32 posts

Interesting....

My wife and I ran into David Caruso (CSI Miami) outside of the Forum in Rome around the 5th of June. Spoke with him for a bit and got his picture. Maybe he's in the movie as well. Nice chap!

Posted by
440 posts

The Italian Catholic Church has refused permission for filming within two churches featured in the book...Santa Maria del Popolo and Santa Maria della Vittoria. How the producers/screenwriters will overcome this remains to be seen.

Posted by
2207 posts

Pat is correct!

They have also been refused access to the Vatican - no surprise there! Angels & Demons IS NOT a very popular book with the church. It will be interesting to see if they do the premiere in Rome (now there's a ticket to get!)

So the filming of the Vatican scenes will take place in the Royal Palace of Caserta... which may look familiar as multiple Star Wars episodes were filmed there and also parts of Mission Impossible III. Sometimes you just have to make do!

Ciao,
Ron