Ron Howard Speaks Out about "Da Vinci Code"
HAMMER: Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. And it`s time now for a story that made us say earlier today when we first saw it, "That`s ridiculous." Because some of the papers are going nuts over this, the latest paparazzi photos of Britney Spears and her baby. Now in it, she`s walking out of a New York hotel with a glass of water in one hand and he son, Sean Preston, in another. Now she stumbles. She almost falls, and a body guard helps steady Britney and her son. After the two recent car seat incidents, it seems like people are just waiting for Spears to mess up with her child again, but the woman tripped for goodness sake. I`m even starting to feel sorry for her. All the scrutiny, we`ve got to say, that`s ridiculous. Well, moving on now, it is certainly one of the most-highly anticipated movies ever. And now, you can finally buy your very own ticket and find out what all the controversy is about surrounding "The Da Vinci Code." SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Brooke Anderson joins us from the Cannes film festival where the movie made its premiere -- Brooke.</s>ANDERSON: A.J., this is the day "The Da Vinci Code" finally opens. It rolls into more than 3,700 theaters in the U.S. alone. But the reviews haven`t been kind. I sat down with "Da Vinci" director Ron Howard and got his feelings on the early negative reviews. Take a listen.</s>RON HOWARD, DIRECTOR: And I went into this with my eyes open. I knew that, you know, in some segments of the population it was going to be very controversial and very upsetting. And, you know, and to those people if I have an opportunity to say, if you feel you`re going to be upset by this, a fictional film, don`t go see it. You know, you`re not obliged to. I think it does sort of ask people to open their minds, to use their minds. I don`t think it asks anyone to change their minds. But I think it does say, don`t ignore the questions.</s>ANDERSON: The critics for the most part are not being kind.</s>HOWARD: Would I love all glowing reviews? Of course. I mean, and I`ve had that in my career, where there are 80, 90 percent positive, and that`s a wonderful thing. You know, I never really felt like that`s what we were inviting with this story. I`ve seen how audiences respond, and -- and certainly there`s controversy within those groups, as well. The likes and dislikes. But it runs so much more to the positive, you know, to a very encouraging degree. And that`s a disconnect from the critics. I don`t think I`ve ever made a movie where part of the entertainment value was the fact that it was going to create some conflict. You know, that it was going to provoke, you know, a dialogue and not even always a pleasant one but an interesting one.</s>ANDERSON: Now Ron Howard also told me that despite the early harsh reviews he is fully confident that the film will do well at the box office. He says in part due to the book`s built-in fan base and also because he believes that people want to be a part of the discussion. A.J., back to you.</s>HAMMER: Now Brooke, it has been an amazing week for you at the Cannes film festival. Hanging out in the south of France. What are some of the most memorable moments for you?</s>ANDERSON: A.J., pretty much everything has been memorable here at Cannes. From the glitz and glamour from the red carpet to -- take a look around me -- the breathtaking scenery that is Cannes, France. It`s absolutely incredible. The mood here all week has been extremely festive. There haven`t been any "Da Vinci Code" protests here despite the controversy surrounding the story worldwide. Security is pretty tight, though. For example, when the cast and crew of "The Da Vinci Code" arrived earlier this week via train, there were more than 50 uniformed officers there to keep things under control. We all got a thorough pat down and then our bags were searched before we were able to enter the train station. So the festival is not taking any chances. No surprise will. The access to the stars, A.J., has been extremely good. I sat down with Ethan Hawke, Greg Kinnear, Wilmer Valderrama, earlier today. We talked about their movie, "Fast Food Nation", that`s premiering here. It`s also up for the coveted Palm D`Or prize. I`ll also get a chance to talk with Penelope Cruz. She`s here for her film, "Volver". It`s just a spectacular star-studded event and beautiful part of the world. And A.J., I`m just trying to soak it all up. Back to you.</s>HAMMER: Try to have a good time. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Brooke Anderson. Thank you very much for joining us from the Cannes film festival, thank you.</s>VARGAS: You`ve probably heard by now that Paul McCartney and Heather Mills are separating, after just under four years of marriage. And the former Beatle`s fortune estimated at more than a billion dollars. Now the speculation is -- just how much will Mills get? Mere hours after Paul McCartney and heather mills told the world they were both saying no and both saying go, the focus quickly shifted from a romance spoiled to the bottom line.</s>NATHAN BRACKWELL, SENIOR EDITOR, "ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE": McCartney is probably rock`s first billionaire, only Mick Jagger, Elton John, David Kilmore, Pink Floyd probably make as much money.</s>VARGAS: Now, even in the midst of their breakup, McCartney defends Mills. Writing on his official web site, quote, "It`s been suggested that she married me for the money. There is not an ounce of truth in this. She`s a very generous person who spends most of her time trying to help others in greater need than herself. McCartney`s words may soon, according to various estimates the former beetle is worth a staggering $1.5 billion.</s>NATHAN BRACKETT, SENIOR EDITOR, "ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE": The estimate are that he may end up losing more than $200 million. Divorce law in England, they do its own thing.</s>VARGAS: A sad ending to what happened as a happy marriage. But that was yesterday, when all their troubles seemed so far away.</s>VARGAS: Heather Mills hasn`t said what, if anything, she`ll be asking for in any divorce proceedings, so at this point it`s all speculation. There certainly is a lot of money at stake,</s>A.J. HAMMER: Certainly is. McCartney may be joining an elite club -- ex husbands who have had to pay millions when they got divorced -- and he would be in some pretty famous company. Hollywood`s most expensive divorces, coming up. Plus this...</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Man, I`m speechless. Yes, I liked it a lot. I don`t know why the critics said what they said about it.</s>VARGAS: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT has the first audience reaction about "The Da Vinci Code" as people leave the theater. Plus, how "The Da Vinci Code" has boosted tourism in Europe.</s>HAMMER: And -- the chilling trailer for the Oliver Stone movie about...