"Angels & Demons," the film based on the Dan Brown best-selling novel, has had its world premiere in Rome. Israeli actress Ayelet Zurer, white figure at center, poses on the red carpet at premiere Monday, May 4, 2009.
Director Ron Howard, left, star Tom Hanks, center, and author Dan Brown, right, pose together at the world premiere of "Angels & Demons," in Rome, Monday, May 4, 2009. The movie opens in the U.S. on May 15.
Tom Hanks portrays Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon in a scene from "Angels & Demons," the controversial followup to "The Da Vinci Code."
Tom Hanks gestures as he arrives for the world premiere of "Angels & Demons," in Rome, Monday, May 4, 2009. In the new film, the Vatican turns to Langdon (Hanks)for help after an ancient secret brotherhood called the Illuminati kidnaps four cardinals considered front-runners to be the next pope, and threaten to kill one an hour and then explode a bomb at the Vatican.
Author Dan Brown, right, poses next to a performer dressed as a Vatican Swiss Guard on the red carpet for the world premiere of "Angels & Demons," in Rome, Monday, May 4, 2009.
Film director Ron Howard arrives for the world premiere of "Angels & Demons" in Rome, Monday, May 4, 2009. The movie has already sparked controversy over Howard's charge that the Vatican interfered with getting film permits to shoot scenes in Rome.
Scottish actor Ewan McGregor arrives for the world premiere of "Angels & Demons," in Rome, Monday, May 4, 2009. Much of the film was shot on sets that painstakingly recreated the interiors of the Sistine Chapel and other famous Roman church landmarks.
Actor Tom Hanks arrives for the world premiere of "Angels & Demons", in Rome, Monday, May 4, 2009. Hanks says this movie is a much more fast-paced film than "The Da Vinci Code," which took in more than $750 million worldwide.
Cast members pose together at the world premiere of "Angels & Demons" in Rome, Monday, May 4, 2009. From left are Danish actor Nikolaj Lie Kaast, author Dan Brown, actor Tom Hanks, Israeli actress Ayelet Zurer, Scottish actor Ewan McGregor, director Ron Howard and Danish actor Thure Lindhardt, right.
Israeli actress Ayelet Zurer arrives for the world premiere of "Angels & Demons," in Rome, Monday, May 4, 2009.
Fake Swiss Guards stood at attention on the red carpet as "Angels & Demons," the thriller based on the Dan Brown best-selling novel of the same name, had its world premiere in Rome, Monday, May 4, 2009. In foreground are director Ron Howard, left, star Tom Hanks, center, and author Dan Brown.
Author Dan Brown, left, signs autographs as he arrives for the world premiere of "Angels & Demons," in Rome, Monday, May 4, 2009. Catholic Church officials strongly objected to his "The Da Vinci Code" because it was based on the idea that Jesus married and fathered children and depicted the conservative Catholic movement, Opus Dei, as a murderous cult.
Tom Hanks, left, Israeli actress Ayelet Zurer, center, and Scottish actor Ewan McGregor, right, pose together for the world premiere of "Angels & Demons" in Rome, Monday, May 4, 2009.
Actor Tom Hanks waves to fans as he arrives for the world premiere of "Angels & Demons" in Rome, Monday, May 4, 2009.