Ewan McGregor - The 32nd Annual Toronto International Film Festival - \'Cassandra\'s Dream\' Movie Premiere - Roy Thomson Hall - Toronto, ON, Canada © Solarpix / PR Photos 

Ewan McGregor is in talks to join Tom Hanks in Columbia Pictures’ Angels & Demons – the prequel to The Da Vinci Code. Israeli actress Ayelet Zurer has been cast for the female lead role in the film.

Variety reports McGregor is eyeing the role of a powerful Vatican insider who helps Langdon in the film based on the Dan Brown best-seller.

Zurer has been tapped to play Vittoria Vetra - an Italian scientist who helps Langdon unravel the mystery.

Ron Howard is returning to the director’s chair for the film – which features an Akiva Goldsman script.

The film’s plot follows Robert Langdon (Hanks) as he once again finds himself caught in a conspiracy and tangling with an ancient order known as the Illuminati. He also goes up against forces within the Catholic Church.

Zurer is well known in her native Israel, and has starred in Nina's Tragedies. The actress was also featured in the television series "In Treatment" – which HBO has adapted for the U.S.

Zurer’s U.S. film credits include Munich, and Vantage Point. The actress will return to the big screen with the release of Samuel Goldwyn’s Fugitive Pieces.