Howard banned from filming in Catholic churches

'Da Vinci Code' director Ron Howard had to shoot the movie's forthcoming prequel using imitations of the Catholic churches in the storyline - after the Vatican banned him from all of its holy buildings.

The first movie's portrayal of the Catholic church angered the religion's heads, who were in no mood to cooperate when Howard headed to Rome, Italy this year to shoot an adaptation of author Dan Brown's 2000 book 'Angels & Demons', which is set in the Vatican City.

As a result, Howard has been forced to used camera trickery and substitute locations.

He reveals: "We've had problems filming in Catholic churches. We just weren't allowed anywhere near them."