Abbey Rejects Da Vinci Code Filming

Source: Comingsoon.net

Producers of Columbia Pictures' The Da Vinci Code, based on Dan Brown's bestselling and controversial book, were not allowed to film in Britain's Westminster Abbey after church officials denounced the book as "theologically unsound."

According to Reuters, 940-year-old London Abbey, where British monarchs are crowned, features in the international murder mystery by U.S. author Dan Brown which has been condemned by the Vatican and Anglican Church leaders for distorting the Christian message.

The novel alleges Jesus married Mary Magdalene and had children, whereas Christians are taught that Christ never married and was childless when he was crucified.

"Although a real page turner, 'The Da Vinci code' is theologically unsound and we cannot commend or endorse the contentious and wayward religious and historic suggestions made in the book -- nor its views of Christianity and the New Testament," the Abbey said in a statement.

"It would therefore be inappropriate to film scenes from the book here."

Last week officials at Lincoln Cathedral in eastern England said they had agreed to allow their building to be used by the makers of the forthcoming film, which stars Tom Hanks as the book's central character Professor Robert Langdon.

Directed by Ron Howard and also starring Jean Reno, Audrey Tautou, Ian McKellen, Alfred Molina and Paul Bettany, the anticipated movie hits theaters on May 19, 2006.