Tom Hanks is one of Hollywood's most bankable megastars, with a couple of Oscars and films like Forrest Gump, Philadelphia, Toy Story and Catch Me If You Can to his credit.

But the 50-year old just had his greatest weekend at the international box office.

The Da Vinci Code has swept through theatres worldwide, earning a record-shattering $224 million in three days. And now that it is a spectacular success, studios are thinking the obvious word already: Sequel.

There has been no formal announcement, but Sony Pictures executives have openly expressed interest in producing an adaptation of Dan Brown's Angels & Demons. The prequel to The Da Vinci Code introduces protagonist Robert Langdon and describes his first brush with the secret society called the Illuminati. Negotiations are reportedly already on to get Hanks to confirm participation.

Meanwhile, Brown himself has begun work on a sequel to The Da Vinci Code. Called The Solomon Key, the book is set for a 2007 release.