Robert Downey Jr. starred in two Sherlock Holmes movies released in 2009 and 2011. The actor is reportedly planning a new trilogy based on the iconic character, ahead of the third film’s release in 2021.
Both period movies of Sherlock Holmes were box office hits, earning over $500 million for the studio. The third installment, which arrives in theaters on Christmas week next year, is also projected to earn big bucks.
According to We Got This Covered, Downey is not ready to stop playing the character no matter how the third film’s box office numbers turn out. The Iron Man star reportedly told Warner Bros that he wants to focus on the franchise and start another trilogy after the third film.
What’s going to happen in the third movie?
Downey is reuniting with Jude Law, who plays Dr. John Watson in Sherlock Holmes 3. Peaky Blinders actor Paul Anderson will also be back to reprise his role as Colonel Sebastian Moran. The character first appeared in the second film, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.
If Moran is back, then James Moriarty could also be in the upcoming film. Jared Harris previously played the character. However, Warner Bros has not released the casting announcements apart from Downey, Law, and Anderson.
Law said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that the new story would highlight Holmes’ co-dependency towards Watson.
“We hope to propel the story forward. As always, the essence of the story is their codependency,” Law said. “We’re going to examine — since it’s been several years since we’ve seen them — we’re going to play up the fact that they haven’t seen each other for a long time either.”
Changes behind the scenes
Team Downey, the actor’s production house, had planned on releasing Sherlock Holmes 3 for Christmas 2020. However, unexpected changes took place behind, and the script had several re-drafts. Chris Brancato, who is a scribe on Narcos and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, did the final drafts of the screenplay.
According to Screen Rant, the film will be partly filmed in California and will likely have a Western element to it. Warner Bros tapped Dexter Fletcher to direct the new movie, taking over for Guy Ritchie, who has other filming commitments. Fletcher also took over the filming of Oscar-winning biopic Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) when Bryan Singer couldn’t finish it because of his #MeToo controversy.
Susan Downey, the actor’s wife, and the producer said that they are very aware fans have been waiting for Sherlock Holmes 3 for a long time. So, they are making sure that this third offering is a perfect production.
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