Hanks and Howard return for ‘Inferno’ film

Tom Hanks will return to star in the third Da Vinci Code movie adaptation, “Inferno,” with Ron Howard on board to direct again, British daily The Independent has reported.

Howard enjoyed great success with the first thriller “The Da Vinci Code” in 2006, which grossed more than $750 million worldwide, as well as the follow-up “Angels & Demons” in 2009, which earned $500 million worldwide.

Shooting for the new film “Inferno” is scheduled to start in Italy in April 2015, with Hanks reprising his role as Harvard professor of religious iconology and symbology, Robert Langdon.

The story begins in Florence and then moves to Sienna. Later on, the novel’s mysterious events lead the characters to Istanbul, where Langdon makes an important discovery in the Hagia Sophia museum. Brown was reportedly inspired by Dante’s epic poem “Inferno,” which was written in the 14th century.

David Koepp is writing the film’s script, while Brian Grazer is co-producing the film with Howard, Deadline.com reported.

The film has been given a release date of Dec. 18, 2015.