LOS ANGELES ~ The sequel to the smash mystery The Da Vinci Code should make it onto the big screen in a hurry as symbologist Robert Langdon’s adventures have already been made into two hit films, industry press reported.

Dan Brown’s latest book, The Lost Symbol, would be published in the United States in September with a first run of five million, his publisher said.

The Da Vinci Code novel was a bestseller in 2004 and was outsold only by J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Brown’s hit Code novel is based in part around the idea Jesus had a child with Mary Magdalene, drawing fire from the Vatican.

Columbia, a branch of Sony, has already taken an option on The Lost Symbol and was expected to pick it up shortly, the industry insider Variety magazine said.

Brought to the screen in 2006 by director Ron Howard, the Da Vinci Code film was an international box office hit that netted US$750 million.