Angels & Demons (movie)

**Angels & Demons** is a 2009 American thriller movie. It was directed by Ron Howard. The film stars Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon. The story is based on the novel _Angels & Demons_ by Dan Brown.

The film follows Langdon as he helps investigate a murder at CERN and a plot that threatens the Vatican during a papal conclave. The movie was released in May 2009 and was distributed by Columbia Pictures.

## Plot

After a scientist is found dead at CERN in Switzerland, a dangerous substance called antimatter disappears. An Illuminati symbol burned into the dead scientist's body makes people think the secret group still exists. Robert Langdon is called to help solve the crime. The story takes place during the papal conclave in Rome and follows Langdon as he searches for answers and tries to stop more murders.

## Cast

- Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon
- Ayelet Zurer as Dr. Vittoria Vetra
- Ewan McGregor as Camerlengo Patrick McKenna (Carlo Ventresca in the book)
- Stellan Skarsgård as Commander Maximilian Richter
- Pierfrancesco Favino as Inspector Ernesto Olivetti
- Armin Mueller-Stahl as Cardinal Strauss
- Nikolaj Lie Kaas as the Assassin
- Thure Lindhardt as Lieutenant Chartrand
- David Pasquesi as Claudio Vicenzi
- Cosimo Fusco as Archbishop Simeon
- Victor Alfieri as Lieutenant Valenti
- Carmen Argenziano as Father Silvano Bentivoglio
- Marco Fiorini as Cardinal Baggia / Pope Lucas
- Bob Yerkes as Cardinal Guidera
- Franklin Amobi as Cardinal Lamassé
- Curt Lowens as Cardinal Ebner
- Todd Schneider as Carabiniere
- Alfred Molina as Narrator

## Production

In 2003, Sony Pictures got the film rights to _Angels & Demons_ and _The Da Vinci Code_. After the success of _The Da Vinci Code_, Sony hired Akiva Goldsman to write a script for _Angels & Demons_.

## Reception

The film had mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a moderate score, with critics saying it is an exciting ride but not always believable. Audiences gave more mixed opinions. Filming was planned to start in early 2008 but was delayed by the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike. David Koepp later rewrote the script. Filming began on 4 June 2008 in Rome. Other parts were shot at Sony Pictures Studios in Los Angeles. Some church interiors were built on sets because the Catholic Church did not allow filming in its churches.

## Filming locations

- Rome, Italy
- Sony Pictures Studios, Los Angeles, USA
- The Palace of Caserta stood in for the interior of the Vatican in some scenes.
- The Biblioteca Angelica was used to represent the Vatican Library.

## Controversy and boycott

Some leaders of the Catholic Church criticized the film. The Vatican newspaper _L'Osservatore Romano_ said the Church could not approve the movie. There were calls for a boycott by some Church figures. However, past calls to boycott similar films had little effect on audience interest.

## Other websites

- Angels & Demons on Letterboxd
- Angels & Demons on IMDb

## Infobox (film)

- **name**: Angels & Demons
- **image size**: 250px
- **director**: Ron Howard
- **producer**: Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, John Calley
- **writer**: Akiva Goldsman, David Koepp
- **based on**: _Angels & Demons_ by Dan Brown
- **starring**: Tom Hanks; Ewan McGregor; Ayelet Zurer; Stellan Skarsgård; Pierfrancesco Favino; Armin Mueller-Stahl
- **music**: Hans Zimmer
- **studio**: Columbia Pictures; Imagine Entertainment
- **distributor**: Columbia Pictures
- **runtime**: 146 minutes
- **country**: United States
- **language**: English; Italian; Latin
- **budget**: $150 million
- **gross**: $485,930,816
- **preceded by**: _The Da Vinci Code_ (2006)
- **followed by**: _Inferno_ (2016)