Robert Langdon (franchise)

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Robert Langdon
Robert Langdon film series home release artwork.jpeg
Official home release artwork, for the film trilogy.
Directed by Ron Howard
Based on Robert Langdon novels
by Dan Brown
Starring Tom Hanks
(See list below)
Production
companies
Distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment
Release date
2006–present
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$350 million [1]
Box office$1,463,474,856 [1]

The Robert Langdon franchise consists of American action-adventure mystery-thriller installments, including three theatrical films directed by Ron Howard, and a television series. [2] [3] The films, based on the novel series written by Dan Brown, center on the fictional character of Robert Langdon. Though based on the book series, the films have a different chronological order, consisting of: The Da Vinci Code (2006), Angels & Demons (2009) and Inferno (2016), all starring Tom Hanks as Langdon, alongside different ensemble casts. Despite mixed-to-negative critical reception, the films are considered box office successes, having a combined gross total of $1.5 billion worldwide.

Contents

The television series, a contemporary-prequel titled The Lost Symbol (2021), starring Ashley Zukerman as Langdon, explores the early years of Langdon's career.

Development

Dan Brown's novels about Professor Robert Langdon: Angels & Demons (2000), The Da Vinci Code (2003) and Inferno (2013), quickly became international bestsellers; they were soon adapted into films by Columbia Pictures with Ron Howard directing and producing.

Films

FilmU.S.
release date
DirectorScreenwriter(s)Producer(s)
The Da Vinci Code May 19, 2006 Ron Howard Akiva Goldsman Brian Grazer and John Calley
Angels & Demons May 15, 2009Akiva Goldsman and David Koepp Brian Grazer, John Calley and Ron Howard
Inferno October 28, 2016David KoeppBrian Grazer and Ron Howard

Television

The Lost Symbol

Following the worldwide successes of the first two films, [4] [5] Columbia Pictures began development on a film adaptation of The Lost Symbol. [6] [7] Hanks and Howard were scheduled to return as star and director, with Brian Grazer and John Calley as producers, while a script was collectively co-written by Steven Knight, [8] original author Dan Brown, [9] and Danny Strong. [10] By January 2013, the final draft of the script was near completion, with pre-production expected to start later that year. [11] However, in July Sony Pictures announced they would adapt Inferno as the next film instead. [12] [13]

In June 2019, the project was announced to be re-conceived as a television series tentatively titled Langdon. The series serves as a prequel to the film series, with Daniel Cerone serving as creator, showrunner, chief executive producer, and screenwriter. Dan Brown, Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Francie Calfo, Samie Falvey and Anna Culp will act as additional executive producers. The show will be a co-production between Imagine Television Studios, CBS Television Studios, and Universal Television Studios and was ordered to series on NBC.

The plot revolves around a young Robert Langdon, who is hired by the CIA to solve a number of deadly puzzles when his mentor goes missing. [14] By March 2020, Ashley Zukerman had been cast in the lead role. [15] Later that month it was announced that the production had been given a series order and would be moving to Peacock. [16] The show premiered on September 16, 2021, concluded on November 18, 2021, and was officially canceled after one season on January 24, 2022. [17]

Cast and characters

List indicator(s)

This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in the series.

CharacterFilmTelevision
The Da Vinci Code Angels & Demons Inferno Dan Brown's
The Lost Symbol
Prof. Robert Langdon Tom Hanks
Uncredited actor Y
Tom Hanks Ashley Zukerman
Sophie Neveu Audrey Tautou
Garance Mazureck, Y
Daisy Doidge-Hill, Y
Lilli Ella Kelleher Y
Sir Leigh Teabing
The Teacher
Ian McKellen
Bishop Manuel Aringarosa Alfred Molina
Capt. Bezu Fache Jean Reno
André Vernet Jürgen Prochnow
Silas Paul Bettany
Hugh Mitchell Y
Jacques Saunière Jean-Pierre Marielle
Remy Jean Jean-Yves Berteloot
Father Patrick McKenna Ewan McGregor
Dr. Vittoria Vetra Ayelet Zurer
Cdr. Maximilian Richter Stellan Skarsgård
Cardinal Strauss Armin Mueller-Stahl
Lt. Chartrand Thure Lindhardt
Dr. Sienna Brooks Felicity Jones
Christoph Bouchard Omar Sy
Bertrand Zobrist Ben Foster
Elizabeth Sinskey Sidse Babett Knudsen
Harry Sims
The Provost
Irrfan Khan
Peter Solomon Eddie Izzard
Isabel SolomonLaura De Carteret
Katherine Solomon Valorie Curry
Zachary SolomonKeenan Jolliff
Mal'akh Beau Knapp
Ofc. Alfonso Nuñez Rick Gonzalez
DoS/CIA Inoue Sato Sumalee Montano

Additional crew and production details

FilmComposerCinematographerEditor(s)Production
companies
Distributing
companies
Running time
The Da Vinci Code Hans Zimmer Salvatore Totino Dan Hanley & Mike Hill Columbia Pictures,
Imagine Entertainment,
Skylark Productions,
Government of Malta
Sony Pictures Releasing 2hr 28min
Angels & Demons Columbia Pictures,
Imagine Entertainment,
Skylark Productions,
Panorama Film Studios
2hr 18min
Inferno Dan Hanley & Tom ElkinsColumbia Pictures,
Imagine Entertainment,
LSG Productions,
LS Capital Film Corporation,
Mid Atlantic Films
2hr 1min
The Lost Symbol Will Bates Gyula Pados, Fraser Brown, Boris Mojsovski, and David GreeneDavid Trachtenberg, Greg Sirota, Mark J. Goldman, Alexander Aquino-Kaljakin, and Juan Carlos Garza Universal Television,
Imagine Television Studios,
Peacock Original Series,
CBS Studios,
Dworkin/Beattie Productions
Peacock 5hr 30min
(approx. 40 min per episode)

Reception

Box office performance

FilmBox office grossBox office rankingBudget
Ref(s)
Opening weekend
(North America)
North AmericaOther territoriesWorldwideAll time
North America
All time
worldwide
The Da Vinci Code$77,073,388$217,536,138$540,703,713$758,239,851#146#71$125 million [18]
Angels & Demons$46,204,168$133,375,846$352,554,970$485,930,816#390#170$150 million [19]
Inferno$14,860,425$34,343,574$185,677,685$220,021,259#2,244#586$75 million [20]
Total$385,255,558$1,078,936,368$1,464,191,926$350 million [1]

Critical and public response

Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic CinemaScore
The Da Vinci Code25% (231 reviews) [21] 46 (40 reviews) [22] B+ [23]
Angels & Demons36% (258 reviews) [24] 48 (36 reviews) [25] B+ [23]
Inferno23% (254 reviews) [26] 42 (47 reviews) [27] B+ [23]
The Lost Symbol55% (11 reviews) [28] 57 (6 reviews) [29]

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Thomas Jeffrey Hanks is an American actor and filmmaker. Known for both his comedic and dramatic roles, he is one of the most popular and recognizable film stars worldwide, and is regarded as an American cultural icon. Hanks' films have grossed more than $4.9 billion in North America and more than $9.96 billion worldwide, making him the fourth-highest-grossing actor in North America. He has received numerous honors including the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2002, the Kennedy Center Honor in 2014, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the French Legion of Honor both in 2016, as well as the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ron Howard</span> American filmmaker and actor

Ronald William Howard is an American director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. Howard started his career as a child actor before transitioning to directing films. Over his six decade career, Howard has received two Academy Awards, four Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Grammy Award. He was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2003 and was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2013. Howard has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions in film and television.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Brown</span> American author (born 1964)

Daniel Gerhard Brown is an American author best known for his thriller novels, including the Robert Langdon novels Angels & Demons (2000), The Da Vinci Code (2003), The Lost Symbol (2009), Inferno (2013), and Origin (2017). His novels are treasure hunts that usually take place over a period of 24 hours. They feature recurring themes of cryptography, art, and conspiracy theories. His books have been translated into 57 languages and, as of 2012, have sold over 200 million copies. Three of them, Angels & Demons, The Da Vinci Code, and Inferno, have been adapted into films, while one of them, The Lost Symbol, was adapted into a television show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Langdon</span> Fictional character

Robert Langdon is a fictional character created by author Dan Brown for his Robert Langdon book series: Angels & Demons (2000), The Da Vinci Code (2003), The Lost Symbol (2009), Inferno (2013) and Origin (2017). He is a Harvard University professor of history of art and "symbology".

<i>Angels & Demons</i> Novel by Dan Brown

Angels & Demons is a 2000 bestselling mystery-thriller novel written by American author Dan Brown and published by Pocket Books and then by Corgi Books. The novel introduces the character Robert Langdon, who recurs as the protagonist of Brown's subsequent novels. Angels & Demons shares many stylistic literary elements with its sequels, such as conspiracies of secret societies, a single-day time frame, and the Catholic Church. Ancient history, architecture, and symbology are also heavily referenced throughout the book. A film adaptation was released on May 15, 2009.

<i>The Da Vinci Code</i> (film) 2006 American mystery thriller film by Ron Howard

The Da Vinci Code is a 2006 American mystery thriller film directed by Ron Howard, written by Akiva Goldsman, and based on Dan Brown's 2003 novel of the same name. The first in the Robert Langdon film series, the film stars Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Sir Ian McKellen, Alfred Molina, Jürgen Prochnow, Jean Reno and Paul Bettany. In the film, Robert Langdon, a professor of religious symbology from Harvard University, is the prime suspect in the grisly and unusual murder of Louvre curator Jacques Saunière. On the body, the police find a disconcerting cipher and start an investigation. Langdon escapes with the assistance of police cryptologist Sophie Neveu, and they begin a quest for the legendary Holy Grail. A noted British Grail historian, Sir Leigh Teabing, tells them that the actual Holy Grail is explicitly encoded in Leonardo da Vinci's wall painting, The Last Supper. Also searching for the Grail is a secret cabal within Opus Dei, an actual prelature of the Holy See, who wish to keep the true Grail a secret to prevent the destruction of Christianity.

<i>The Lost Symbol</i> 2009 novel by Dan Brown

The Lost Symbol is a 2009 novel written by American writer Dan Brown. It is a thriller set in Washington, D.C., after the events of The Da Vinci Code, and relies on Freemasonry for both its recurring theme and its major characters.

The Da Vinci Code, a popular suspense novel by Dan Brown, generated criticism and controversy after its publication in 2003. Many of the complaints centered on the book's speculations and misrepresentations of core aspects of Christianity and the history of the Catholic Church. Additional criticisms were directed toward the book's inaccurate descriptions of European art, history, architecture, and geography.

<i>The Da Vinci Code</i> 2003 novel by Dan Brown

The Da Vinci Code is a 2003 mystery thriller novel by Dan Brown. It is Brown's second novel to include the character Robert Langdon: the first was his 2000 novel Angels & Demons. The Da Vinci Code follows symbologist Robert Langdon and cryptologist Sophie Neveu after a murder in the Louvre Museum in Paris causes them to become involved in a battle between the Priory of Sion and Opus Dei over the possibility of Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene having had a child together.

The Da Vinci Code is a 2006 American mystery-thriller film directed by Ron Howard. The screenplay was written by Akiva Goldsman and based on Dan Brown's worldwide bestselling 2003 novel, The Da Vinci Code. It was produced by Howard with John Calley and Brian Grazer and released by Columbia Pictures in the United States on May 19, 2006.

<i>Angels & Demons</i> (film) 2009 American thriller directed by Ron Howard

Angels & Demons is a 2009 American action mystery thriller film directed by Ron Howard and written by Akiva Goldsman and David Koepp, based on Dan Brown's 2000 novel of the same title. It is the sequel to the 2006 film The Da Vinci Code, also directed by Howard, and the second installment in the Robert Langdon film series. However, the novel version was published before The Da Vinci Code novel. Filming took place in Rome, Italy, and the Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California. Tom Hanks reprises his role as Professor Robert Langdon, while Ayelet Zurer stars as Dr. Vittoria Vetra, a CERN scientist joining Langdon in the quest to recover a missing vial of antimatter from a mysterious Illuminati terrorist. Producer Brian Grazer, composer Hans Zimmer and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman also return, with David Koepp coming on board to help the latter.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashley Zukerman</span> Australian-American actor

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<i>Inferno</i> (Brown novel) Novel by Dan Brown

Inferno is a 2013 mystery thriller novel by American author Dan Brown and the fourth book in his Robert Langdon series, following Angels & Demons, The Da Vinci Code and The Lost Symbol. The book was published on May 14, 2013, ten years after publication of The Da Vinci Code (2003), by Doubleday. It was number one on the New York Times Best Seller list for hardcover fiction and Combined Print & E-book fiction for the first eleven weeks of its release, and also remained on the list of E-book fiction for the first seventeen weeks of its release. A film adaptation was released in the United States on October 28, 2016.

<i>Inferno</i> (2016 film) 2016 American action mystery film directed by Ron Howard

Inferno is a 2016 American action mystery thriller film directed by Ron Howard and written by David Koepp, loosely based on the 2013 novel of the same name by Dan Brown. It is the sequel to The Da Vinci Code (2006) and Angels & Demons (2009), and is the third and final film in the Robert Langdon film series. It stars Tom Hanks, reprising his role as Robert Langdon, alongside Felicity Jones as Dr. Sienna Brooks, Omar Sy, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Ben Foster, and Irrfan Khan.

<i>Robert Langdon</i> (book series) Novel series by Dan Brown

The Robert Langdon book series is named after Robert Langdon, the protagonist of the novels by American author Dan Brown. Langdon is portrayed as a Harvard University professor of religious iconology and symbology, a fictional field related to the study of historic symbols, which is not methodologically connected to the actual discipline of semiotics. Brown's novels that feature the lead character also include historical themes and Christianity as motifs, and as a result have generated controversy. Brown states on his website that his books are not anti-Christian, and that he is on a "constant spiritual journey" himself.

<i>Origin</i> (Brown novel) 2017 novel by Dan Brown

Origin is a 2017 mystery thriller novel by American author Dan Brown and the fifth installment in his Robert Langdon series, following Inferno. The book was released on October 3, 2017, by Doubleday. The book is predominantly set in Spain and features minor sections in Sharjah and Budapest.

<i>The Lost Symbol</i> (TV series) American action-adventure television series

Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol, or simply The Lost Symbol, is an American action-adventure mystery-thriller television series based on Dan Brown's 2009 novel The Lost Symbol. The series is a prequel to the Robert Langdon film series and features Ashley Zukerman as fictional Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon. It also stars Eddie Izzard, Beau Knapp, Rick Gonzalez, Valorie Curry and Sumalee Montano in main roles. Dan Trachtenberg directed the series pilot and serves as executive producer on the series alongside Ron Howard, Brian Grazer and Brown himself. The series consists of ten episodes, premiered on September 16, 2021, on Peacock. In January 2022, the series was cancelled after one season.

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