British actors Ian McKellen and Alfred Molina have been added to the cast of the anticipated screen adaptation of Dan Brown's controversial novel The Da Vinci Code. The movie, which will be directed by Ron Howard, features Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks in the lead role as Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon. Molina will portray Bishop Arigarosa, who takes a strong interest in the Holy Grail-pursuing efforts of Langdon and cryptographer Sophie Neveu, played by Audrey Tautou. McKellen takes on the role of wealthy eccentric Sir Teabing, who also has an interest in tracking down the Holy Grail.

Well, that's an interesting take on the character. McKellan's, I mean. Of course, Hanks is, too.

And then I realize that the description's from the other book. I was really bored. Please don't shun me.

Tom Hanks as Langdon? That just seems wrong for some reason. The rest of the casting sounds good though.

I hate the book too much to call the casting anything other than "apt" or "likely to be successful."

I liked The Davinci Code although, I thought Angels and Demons was a much better book.

really like "The Ground Beneath Her Feet" (title taken from the Salman Rushdie book, which... has nothing at all to do with the movie, IIRC).

Rusdie wrote the lyrics, IIRC.

Harvard symbologist

I am still working on what this job is. Is he the guy who designs those signs-without-words in airports? The guy who invented the "pull this heavy object don't pull it or it will tip over and squash you" sign that goes on soda vending machines? Did he draw the original Mister Yucky?

I'm with ita. OMG, that was...one of the worst reading experiences I've ever had, including creative writing class.

British actors Ian McKellen and Alfred Molina have been added to the cast of the anticipated screen adaptation of Dan Brown's controversial novel The Da Vinci Code.

"Throw me the Grail, I'll throw you the rope!"

I'm with ita. OMG, that was...one of the worst reading experiences I've ever had, including creative writing class.

The idea behind the story, if I understand it correctly, might be intriguing in the hands of someone who can write. But I had to set Angels and Demons down after a few chapters, because it was so so SO execrably written. I tried, I really did -- see, my Dad LOVED it, and loaned it to me so that we could discuss it, and in the interests of family bonding, I tried to read it.

But how do you tell someone who loved a book that you couldn't read it because it was written so badly that it made your eyes bleed? I don't want to insult him for loving the book -- I say read what you like, as long as you're reading -- but telling someone you hated what they recommended to you feels like an insult.