BEIJING, Jan. 24 -- The movie version of best-selling book "The Da Vinci Code,¡±"directed by Ron Howard, will open the Cannes Film Festival on May 17, two days before its worldwide release.

    The thriller, produced by Brian Grazer and John Calley for Colombia Pictures and Imagine Entertainment, will not be competing for a festival award, said the statement Saturday evening.

    Dan Brown's book, about a series of high-profile murders behind a Vatican plot to conceal the true meaning of the Holy Grail, has sold more than 30 million copies in around 40 languages and provoked criticism from the Roman Catholic Church and historians.

    Producers invested US$100 million in the film version of the book, which stars U.S. two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks, French favorites Audrey Tatou and Jean Reno, and British actors Sir Ian Mckellen and Alfred Molina.

    U.S. director Ron Howard came to the Cannes Film Festival for "Willow" in 1988, "Far and Away" in 1992 and "Ed TV" in 1999. He won a best film Oscar for "A Beautiful Mind" in 2002.

    "The Da Vinci Code" will be released in France on the same day as it opens the 59th Cannes Film Festival, which runs from May 17 to 28.

    (Source: Shenzhen Daily/Agencies)