Robert Langdon (franchise) explained

Robert Langdon
Director:Ron Howard
Starring:Tom Hanks
(See list below)
Studio:
Distributor:Sony Pictures Entertainment
Paramount Global
Released:2006–2021
Country:United States
Language:English
Budget:$350 million
Gross:$1,463,474,856

The Robert Langdon franchise consists of American action-adventure mystery-thriller installments, including three theatrical films directed by Ron Howard, and a television series.[1] [2] 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.

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 CodeRon HowardAkiva GoldsmanBrian Grazer and John Calley
Angels & DemonsAkiva Goldsman and David KoeppBrian Grazer, John Calley and Ron Howard
InfernoDavid KoeppBrian Grazer and Ron Howard

Television

The Lost Symbol

See main article: The Lost Symbol (TV series).

Following the worldwide successes of the first two films,[3] [4] Columbia Pictures began development on a film adaptation of The Lost Symbol.[5] [6] 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,[7] original author Dan Brown,[8] and Danny Strong.[9] By January 2013, the final draft of the script was near completion, with pre-production expected to start later that year.[10] However, in July Sony Pictures announced they would adapt Inferno as the next film instead.[11] [12]

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 was 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.[13] By March 2020, Ashley Zukerman had been cast in the lead role.[14] Later that month it was announced that the production had been given a series order and would be moving to Peacock.[15] The show premiered on September 16, 2021, concluded on November 18, 2021, and was officially canceled after one season on January 24, 2022.[16]

Cast and characters

CharacterFilmTelevision
The Da Vinci CodeAngels & DemonsInferno
The Lost Symbol
Prof. Robert LangdonTom Hanks
Tom HanksAshley Zukerman
Sophie NeveuAudrey Tautou
colspan="3"
Sir Leigh Teabing
Ian McKellencolspan="3"
Bishop Manuel AringarosaAlfred Molinacolspan="3"
Capt. Bezu FacheJean Renocolspan="3"
André VernetJürgen Prochnowcolspan="3"
SilasPaul Bettany
colspan="3"
Jacques SaunièreJean-Pierre Mariellecolspan="3"
Remy JeanJean-Yves Bertelootcolspan="3"
Father Patrick McKennaEwan McGregorcolspan="2"
Dr. Vittoria VetraAyelet Zurercolspan="2"
Cdr. Maximilian RichterStellan Skarsgårdcolspan="2"
Cardinal StraussArmin Mueller-Stahlcolspan="2"
Lt. ChartrandThure Lindhardtcolspan="2"
Dr. Sienna BrooksFelicity Jones
Christoph BouchardOmar Sy
Bertrand ZobristBen Foster
Elizabeth SinskeySidse Babett Knudsen
Harry Sims
Irrfan Khan
Peter SolomonEddie Izzard
Isabel SolomonLaura De Carteret
Katherine SolomonValorie Curry
Zachary SolomonKeenan Jolliff
Mal'akhBeau Knapp
Ofc. Alfonso NuñezRick Gonzalez
DoS/CIA Inoue SatoSumalee Montano

Additional crew and production details

FilmComposerCinematographerEditorsProduction
companies
Distributing
companies
Running time
The Da Vinci CodeHans ZimmerSalvatore TotinoDan Hanley & Mike HillColumbia Pictures,
Imagine Entertainment,
Skylark Productions,
Government of Malta
Sony Pictures Releasing2hr 28min
Angels & DemonsColumbia Pictures,
Imagine Entertainment,
Skylark Productions,
Panorama Film Studios
2hr 18min
InfernoDan Hanley & Tom ElkinsColumbia Pictures,
Imagine Entertainment,
LSG Productions,
LS Capital Film Corporation,
Mid Atlantic Films
2hr 1min
The Lost SymbolWill BatesGyula Pados, Fraser Brown, Boris Mojsovski, and David GreeneDavid Trachtenberg, Greg Sirota, Mark J. Goldman, Alexander Aquino-Kaljakin, and Juan Carlos GarzaUniversal Television,
Imagine Television Studios,
Peacock Original Series,
CBS Studios,
Dworkin/Beattie Productions
Peacock5hr 30min

Reception

Box office performance

FilmBox office grossBox office rankingBudget
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
  1. 146
  1. 71
$125 million[17]
Angels & Demons$46,204,168$133,375,846$352,554,970$485,930,816
  1. 390
  1. 170
$150 million[18]
Inferno$14,860,425$34,343,574$185,677,685$220,021,259
  1. 2,244
  1. 586
$75 million[19]
Total$$$$350 million[20]

Critical and public response

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

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Robert Langdon Franchise Recap: What To Know Before The Lost Symbol. Screen Rant. Dutta, Debopriyaa. September 15, 2021. November 7, 2021.
  2. Web site: NBC Nabs Robert Langdon Drama Based On Dan Brown's 'The Lost Symbol' From Imagine With Big Commitment. Deadline. Andreeva, Nellie. June 5, 2019. November 7, 2021.
  3. https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=davincicode.htm "The Da Vinci Code"
  4. https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=angelsanddemons.htm "Angels & Demons"
  5. News: Columbia moves on 'Symbol'. 2009-04-20. Variety.com. 2009-09-01 . Michael . Fleming.
  6. News: The Mystery of Dan Brown. The Guardian. September 2009. September 22, 2009 . London.
  7. News: Columbia finds 'Symbol'; Knight to adapt third book in 'Da Vinci Code' series . . . February 3, 2010 . February 4, 2010 . Tatiana . Siegel.
  8. News: EXCLUSIVE: Dan Brown Taking Over 'Lost Symbol' Screenplay . Fernandez, Jay A. . Kit, Borys . . 2010-12-20 . 2015-11-21 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141114113843/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/risky-business/dan-brown-lost-symbol-screenplay-61760 . November 14, 2014 .
  9. Williams, Owen (March 2, 2012). "New Writer For The Lost Symbol: Dan Brown 3 gets an overhaul". Empire
  10. News: Dan Brown: What's the film status of his book 'The Lost Symbol'?. January 15, 2013. January 22, 2013. Los Angeles Times. Nicole Sperling.
  11. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tom-hanks-inferno-shifts-opening-739663 Tom Hanks' 'Inferno' Shifts Opening to 2016
  12. Web site: Tom Hanks And Ron Howard To Return For Next Dan Brown Movie 'Inferno'; Sony Sets December 2015 Release Date . July 16, 2013 . . July 16, 2013.
  13. Web site: NBC Nabs Robert Langdon Drama Based on Dan Brown's 'The Lost Symbol' from Imagine with Big Commitment. 5 June 2019.
  14. Web site: Ashley Zukerman Cast as Robert Langdon in NBC Drama Pilot. 2 March 2020.
  15. Web site: 'Dan Brown's Langdon' NBC Pilot Picked Up To Series By Peacock. March 9, 2021. Deadline Hollywood. March 9, 2021.
  16. Web site: 'Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol' Canceled at Peacock After One Season. January 24, 2022.
  17. Web site: The Da Vinci Code. Box Office Mojo. October 22, 2016.
  18. Web site: Angels & Demons. Box Office Mojo. October 22, 2016.
  19. Web site: Inferno. Box Office Mojo. November 13, 2016.
  20. Web site: Robert Langdon. Box Office Mojo. November 13, 2016.
  21. Web site: The Da Vinci Code. Flixster. Rotten Tomatoes. October 22, 2016.
  22. Web site: The Da Vinci Code. CBS. Metacritic. October 22, 2016.
  23. Web site: Cinemascore . Cinemascore.com . October 22, 2016.
  24. Web site: Angels & Demons. Flixster. Rotten Tomatoes. December 16, 2023.
  25. Web site: Angels & Demons. CBS. Metacritic. October 22, 2016.
  26. Web site: Inferno. Flixster. Rotten Tomatoes. December 16, 2023.
  27. Web site: Inferno. CBS. Metacritic. October 28, 2016.
  28. Web site: Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol. Flixster. Rotten Tomatoes. November 7, 2021.
  29. Web site: Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol. CBS. Metacritic. November 7, 2021.