Hanks lands Da Vinci role

Tom Hanks looks set to play the lead in the film version of the celebrated Dan Brown novel, The Da Vinci Code.

Hanks, one of Hollywood's hottest properties, is said to be top of director Ron Howard's wanted list.

The Da Vinci Code is the number one best seller telling the story of dashing scholar Robert Langdon as he tries to decipher an ancient code threatening to shake the Catholic Church to its foundations.

"Tom is an exciting actor to watch," Howard told Newsweek magazine. "We probably don't need his status from a box-office standpoint but he gives Langdon instant legitimacy."

Howard has a number of blockbusters to his name and has worked with Hanks before directing the 1995 hit, Apollo 13.

After the Coen brothers remake The Ladykillers met with mixed reviews from critics, Hanks will be keen to win back his megastar status and The Da Vinci Code could be just the ticket.

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