Hanks, Howard Do "Da Vinci"

Tom Hanks is cracking the code.

The Oscar-winning thesp is on the verge of reuniting with Ron Howard to star in the big-screen version of author Dan Brown's hugely successful bestseller The Da Vinci Code.

Hanks is in talks to play globe-trotting Harvard art historian Robert Langdon, who sets out on a quest to decipher clues found in Leonardo Da Vinci's famous paintings that unravels an explosive conspiracy that threatens the very foundations of Christianity.

The actor, of course, scored one of his first big hits with Howard, who directed Hanks in 1984's comedy Splash. The two joined forces again for 1995's critically acclaimed moon-mission drama Apollo 13.

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

The translation from book to movie will be closely watched by the book's legions of fans--The Da Vinci Code is the most anticipated celluloid adapation of a novel since Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

Scripting chores for The Da Vinci Code will be handled by Akiva Goldsman, who won an Oscar for his work writing Howard's Academy Award-winning 2001 film, A Beautiful Mind.

Hollywood has been chomping to translate Brown's suspense thriller ever since The Da Vinci Code became a publishing phenomenon by skyrocketing to the top of the New York Times hardcover fiction bestseller list, where it has remained for the past 86 weeks on its way to selling more than 8 million copies.

Brown's book weaves together bits of art history, religion, math and mythology to create the story of conspiracy to hide the "truth" that Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene were married and gave birth to a child. The controversial notion has spawned a cottage industry of books attempting to debunk The Da Vinci Code, as well as tours catering to the locales featured in the book, most prominently the Louvre. Fans are flocking to the Parisian museum to attempt to unlock the secret codes Brown claims are hidden within Da Vinci's most heralded work, the Mona Lisa.

Howard and producing partner Brian Grazer happened upon the project in early 2003, after 24 creator Joel Surnow approached Grazer about acquiring the rights to the property as the basis for the third season of his Fox TV drama. However, Brown balked at having the The Da Vinci Code made into a tube thriller.

Sony Pictures eventually plunked down a cool $6 million for the feature film rights and then tapped Howard and Grazer's production company, Imagine, to develop The Da Vinci Code into a would-be cinematic blockbuster.

Hanks could use a surefire blockbuster about now. His latest film, Warner Bros.' CGI-happy flick, The Polar Express, opened last Wednesday to mixed reviews and mediocre box office, while his last two features, The Ladykillers and The Terminal, both tanked.

Howard, meanwhile, is wrapping up principal photography on the Depression-era boxing drama Cinderella Man starring Russell Crowe. He'll then segue into work on The Da Vinci Code, followed by a remake of East of Eden. Howard schedule also includes producing the animated adventure Curious George and an NBC TV miniseries focusing on the events of 9-11.

Grazer tells Newsweek that they are still working on casting the part of Langdon's sidekick, Parisian cryptologist Sophie Neveu, and will probably go with a French actress to remain true to Brown's vision. Producers are also considering French star Jean Reno (The Professional, Mission: Impossible), to play hard-headed cop Bezu Fache.

If all goes according to plan, expect The Da Vinci Code to make its way into theaters sometime in 2006.