The Arch-Confraternity of the Departed, an order of Christian monks declined a request made by the James Bond Spectre crew to film in a famous Roman cemetery.
According to Il Messaggero newspaper, director Sam Mendes was believed to have wanted to use the Verano cemetery, wherein are the graves of Italian cultural icons such as the poet Goffredo Mameli.
The cemetery was intended as the location for a funeral scene for Spectre, the 24th official 007 movie, but the idea has been scuppered by monks. The 2,000-year-old site is built on the ruins of a necropolis, and the order wants to protect the sanctity of the location.
The funeral scenes are now expected to be filmed at the Museum of Roman Civilisation, in Rome. The office of Mayor Ignazio Marino reportedly received a request seeking permission to film there next Wednesday.
