We haven’t heard a whole lot in regards to the follow-up to Ron Howard‘s mixed-review adaptation of the Dan Brown best-seller, The Da Vinci Code. I bet some people don’t even know it’s coming, but I assure you, it is moving forward and it is called Angels & Demons. The main core is back with Howard directing, his normal producer Brian Grazer by his side, and Tom Hanks in the lead role as symbologist professor Robert Langdon. Akiva Goldsman also returned to adapt the screenplay.

In Angels & Demons, which is actually a prequel to The Da Vinci Code, the Illuminati is the focus, with Langdon attempting to uncover their plans to blow up the Vatican during a papal conclave.

This past week a couple of new faces were added to the project. First, Ayelet Zurer (Munich) signed on as the female lead, pairing up with Hanks’ character while trying to solve her father’s murder. Next, a bit more of a known face came into play as we learned that Ewan McGregor was in negotiations to play the role of the Pope’s closest aide, Camerlengo Carlo Ventresca, who initially helps Langdon with the investigation.

If all goes according to plan, Angels & Demons may begin shooting on June 5th with release date of May 15, 2009.

[Source: EW, THR]