Hanks chasing 'Da Vinci'

Posted Monday, November 15, 2004 at 2:40 PM Central

by John Couture

As if spending 86 consecutive weeks (and counting) on the New York Times bestseller list weren't enough to propel The Da Vinci Code to box office success, the national sensation is getting a boost in the arm from Tom Hanks, who is in negotiations to play symbology professor Robert Langdon.

"Tom is an exciting actor to watch thinking," director Ron Howard was quoted in Newsweek. "We probably don't need his status from a box office standpoint, but he gives Langdon instant legitimacy."

Howard and producing partner Brian Grazer are spearheading the project for Sony Pictures hopes to start filming next year for a Summer 2006 release.