Vatican banned 'Angels & Demons' filming

Ron Howard was forced to use imitation buildings while filming the prequel to The Da Vinci Code after the Vatican apparently banned him from using the Catholic Church's holy buildings.

Angels & Demons, which is set for a May 2009 release, sees Tom Hanks returning to the role of Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon as he tries to stop a plot to destroy the Vatican.

Howard said the filming of Dan Brown's novel required the use of camera trickery and substitute locations. "We've had problems filming in Catholic churches. We just weren't allowed anywhere near them," he told WENN.

Ayelet Zurer plays female lead Vittoria Vetra in the film, while Ewan McGregor takes on the part of Carlo Ventresca.