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Actor Ian McKellen, 66, shocked his Da Vinci Code costars during an interview with Matt Lauer on the Today show this morning. The film has inspired controversy from the Catholic sect, Opus Dei, which has asked that a disclaimer be added to the film to clearly delineate the movie as fictitious.

Broadcasting from the Cannes Film Festival, Lauer addressed the cast:

“People wanted this to say ‘Fiction fiction fiction!’ How would you have all felt if there was a disclaimer at the beginning of the movie? Would it have been okay with you?”

“I’ve often thought the Bible should have a disclaimer at the front saying ‘This is fiction.’” McKellen responded. “I mean walking on water? I mean, it takes an act of faith.”

McKellan went on to say he found the Bible “somewhat preachy” and called the ending “a bit of a downer.”