PARIS, June 26 (UPI) -- Filming for the international best-selling "Da Vinci Code" begins in Paris this week.
Until August, U.S. director Ron Howard and his cast will be in various parts of the French capital region -- from the Louvre Museum, to the suburban Chateau de la Villette -- to film the movie version of the mystery novel by Dan Brown that explores the legend of the Holy Grail and of Mary Magdalene.
Two celebrated French actors -- Jean Reno and Audrey Tautou, of "Amelie" fame -- will be among a cast that includes Oscar-winner Tom Hanks.
Two other French actors have been tapped for important roles, French news reports said. Etienne Chicot, 56, will play a member of the conservative Catholic sect, Opus Dei, and Jacques Sauniere is cast as the Louvre's curator.
