Hanks, Howard near "Da Vinci" prequel

A file photo o f director Ron Howard (R) and actor Tom Hanks reacting during a photocall for the director's out of competition film ''The Da Vinci Code'' at the 59th Cannes Film Festival May 17, 2006. Hanks and Howard are in final negotiations to reunite for a prequel to the worldwide smash film, sources said.

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Tom Hanks and director Ron Howard are in final negotiations to reunite for a prequel to the worldwide smash "The Da Vinci Code," sources said.

Sony Pictures has set an early January start date for "Angels & Demons," and has hired A-list casting directors to fill out the thriller's supporting roles, the sources said.

The studio declined to comment on the highly anticipated project.

Sources also said Sony is waiting for Akiva Goldsman to finish his adaptation of Dan Brown's best-seller, in which Hanks' character, Harvard professor Robert Langdon, becomes embroiled in murders involving the Illuminati and the Vatican.

"The Da Vinci Code" grossed $758 million worldwide, despite a critical pasting.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter