Hanks: Church to benefit from 'Da Vinci Code'

David Gabber / Photorazzi

Tom Hanks has stated that the film version of Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code could help church leaders to draw in bigger congregations.

Hanks, who will play Robert Langdon in the movie, reckons that if ministers were to use the film as the topic for a debate, more of the public would be attracted to attending church.

The 50-year-old told US magazine Entertainment Weekly: "I think the movie may end up helping churches do their job.

"If they put up a sign saying: 'This Wednesday we're discussing the gospel,' 12 people show up. But if a sign says: 'This Wednesday we're discussing The Da Vinci Code,' 800 people show up."

Hanks's views are not shared by Catholic Church officials though, who have encouraged religious believers to boycott the release.