( CNN ) -- Three years ago , the film based on Dan Brown 's novel `` The Da Vinci Code '' was the focus of protest and controversy , with a Vatican archbishop calling for a boycott and Catholics at many levels refuting plot points . From left , actors Tom Hanks , Ayelet Zurer and Ewan McGregor join director Ron Howard at the film 's premier . But when it comes to the new film based on a Brown novel , `` Angels & Demons , '' star Tom Hanks says talk of controversy is much ado about nothing . `` Everybody is looking for some scandal whether a scandal exists or not , '' Hanks said of the film . `` I think a kind of natural reaction is now that somehow because it 's the second Robert Langdon mystery that there is some degree of controversy over it . And there is really not . '' The movie ventures into similar waters as its predecessor , `` The Da Vinci Code , '' with Hanks reprising the role of Robert Langdon , a Harvard symbology expert , and conspiracy theories galore . It also reunites the Academy Award-winning actor with director Ron Howard , who helmed `` Da Vinci , '' and teams Hanks with actor Ewan McGregor and Israeli actress Ayelet Zurer . While `` The Da Vinci Code '' centered on the complex investigation of a murder in the Louvre and the theory that a marriage between Jesus and Mary Magdalene produced descendants , the new film features a murder at the Vatican and a secret and powerful society known as the `` Illuminati . '' McGregor , known for his role as a young Obi-Wan Kenobi in the `` Star Wars '' films , said that while `` The Da Vinci Code '' and `` Angels & Demons '' are inextricably linked , the latter can stand on its own . `` If I thought [ Angels & Demons ] was pinned to 'The Da Vinci Code ' in some way then it would 've been a lesser script to read and it was n't , '' McGregor said . `` It 's a standalone movie ... it 's not relevant whether you 've seen 'Da Vinci Code ' or not . '' Both films , like the Brown novels they 're based on , have been met with criticism for their melding of history and storytelling . `` I have a strong objection to the genre of mixing fact with fiction , '' said Bill Donohue , president of the Catholic League . `` You 've got [ Dan ] Brown , [ Ron ] Howard and [ Tom ] Hanks in the movie all alleging that the Illuminati was this secret society which was brutalized by the Catholic Church in the 1600s . '' `` It 's all a lie , '' Donohue said . `` [ The Illuminati ] never even existed until May 1 , 1776 , but they have to pitch it back into the 1600s so they can trot out their favorite victim , Galileo . What happens is you get the audience thinking 'Well , maybe it 's not all true , but probably some of it is true . ' `` Ted Baehr , founder of Movieguide and the Christian Film & Television Commission , first issued an advisory alert about the film in April and reiterated it days before the movie 's May 15 release . `` Now that we 've previewed 'Angels & Demons , ' Movieguide has decided to keep in effect our caution alert , '' Baehr said . `` Faith is often denied throughout the movie . '' Director Howard wrote in the The Huffington Post that he believes Donohue is on a mission `` to paint me and the movie I directed , 'Angels & Demons , ' as anti-Catholic , '' a claim Howard emphatically denies . The director told CNN that he attempted to reach out to the Catholic Church regarding the film , but had no success . He also downplayed reports that Rome and the Vatican tried to hinder filming . Hanks said shooting the movie in the ancient city was complicated given the vibrancy of Rome . At one point , Hanks said , make-believe collided with one woman 's fairy tale . `` We had a lady showing up who was getting married at the Pantheon and she had to get married and we had to get our shot , '' Hanks said . `` She showed up right between shots , when we were moving cameras . '' Fortunately , both the wedding and the day 's filming were able to be completed , Hanks said . McGregor said Howard was to be credited for how well the production came together . Howard 's background as an actor undoubtedly helped enhance the actors ' performances , McGregor said . `` A lot of directors are able to tell you what they 're after , but Ron 's able to tell you what he 's after and help you for how you might play that ... which is kind of total directing , '' McGregor said . Zurer said she had a blast being the only female lead in the film . Viewers should see the film for what it is , she said , and not focus on the controversy . `` It 's fun fiction , '' she said . `` It 's a fun movie to watch , it 's thrilling and that 's what I saw in it . '' CNN 's Lisa Respers France contributed to this story .
Tom Hanks stars in ` ` Angels & Demons , '' a sequel to ` ` The Da Vinci Code '' Fellow cast mate Ewan McGregor says latest film is a disappointment . Like earlier films , ` ` Angels & Demons '' has been criticized for mix of fact and fiction . Catholic League website : ` ` It 's all a lie ''