Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law are set to embark on another crime-solving adventure as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. From Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows created in 2011, fans have been waiting for the duo’s return. A series of delays slowed the development process, but Sherlock Holmes 3 this would always happen.
The long-awaited third film from Robert Downey Jr. Sherlock Holmes been through a lot over the years. According to recent updates from producer Susan Downey, they are still working on bringing the film to the big screen. With two franchise spin-off shows currently in the works, discussions about Sherlock Holmes 3 is back on the table.
Updated by Alex Roush on January 5, 2025: Could this be a good time for a third Sherlock Holmes movie to happen? Warner Brothers and the creative team behind the film spent over a decade working on the film, but it’s not time to give up hope just yet. This article has been updated to include new updates to Sherlock Holmes 3, improve the reader experience, and adhere to CBR formatting guidelines.
Sherlock Holmes 3 is still relevant
Susan Downey recently reassured her fans
THE Sherlock Holmes threequel was originally confirmed in 2011. However, as fans would later learn, the film is still in development. 13 years later, it looks like it’s finally going to happen. It’s no secret that production has been shut down for a very long time and news regarding the upcoming film is scarce. It was only in 2018 that it saw some movement again. Since then, there has been a change of director and other developments.
The good news is that Sherlock Holmes 3 it will happen again. According to Susan Downey, producer of the film and wife of Robert Downey Jr., the creative team behind the film is still very committed to making it. While there is no concrete update in terms of production status, plot or cast confirmation, the producer has stated that the project is “still alive and well“and they have”some things going on“.
One of the reasons why Sherlock Holmes 3 What’s not moving as quickly as fans want is the fact that the team is still trying to find the right direction for the story. To continue to have the spark of magic that was in the past Sherlock Holmes films, the timing has to be right and the right people have to be involved. With the recent announcement of the prequel series Young Sherlock In preparation, attention has once again been focused on this long-awaited film. Downey said Rant screen in an interview:
I mean, look, no, there’s no update, other than it’s still very much alive in our hearts. Every day we discuss the question: “What is the best next version?” ” Because every time I see Robert and Jude together, which luckily I see several times a year, we go out together and I’m like, “Can I put these guys back together on screen?”, it’s magical . There has to be a very strong reason, it has to be a great story, and we have some things in the works.
Sherlock Holmes 3 has been confirmed
The film has been continually hit by delays
Warner Bros. gave the green light to a third Sherlock Holmes film in 2011. The studio initially operated the Narcos co-creator Chris Brancato to write the screenplay, while Guy Richie continues to direct the third film in the franchise. At the time, the studio really wanted to bring together Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr. for a new adventure. They also hired Iron Man 3 screenwriter Drew Pearce to work on a draft. However, as Downey was still stuck in his obligations as Tony Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Sherlock Holmes and other projects had to wait.
Downey’s schedule, however, was not the main reason for the lack of movement on the project. In 2013, Jude Law gave fans an update on the project. It seems there was an idea, but no official script. A year later, Susan Downey again confirmed the project’s “discontinued” status in an interview with Colliderexplaining that the real reason Sherlock Holmes 3 was stalled in development due to the lack of a solid storyline that would surpass existing films. She said:
When you come back and do a third one, there has to be something that’s really worth putting back on screen.
Taking the franchise to the next level is no easy task. Since then, the film has gone through a series of changes and delays. Warner Brothers initially aimed for a Christmas 2020 release date, hoping that ten years would be long enough for the hugely successful franchise to return to the big screen. In 2019, director Dexter Fletcher replaced Richie to helm the project. The studio has set a new release window for 2021. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sherlock Holmes 3 is again delayed indefinitely.
In 2023, Guy Richie gave a little insight into the status of the project and his departure from the franchise. He said Collider that the decision of whether there would be a third Sherlock Holmes the film depended entirely on its lead star, Robert Downey Jr.. It appears that Downey has the ultimate vote on the creative direction of the project. “So Robert wanted to take care of it. The ball is in his court, so he is in charge of the scenario, he is in charge of everything. I walked out of there until the time was right for me to get involved.” Richie said.
A new script has been developed for Sherlock Holmes 3
Rewrite likely means further delays
Months after Susan Downey’s comments on Sherlock Holmes 3Jude Law has given fans another seemingly promising update. In an interview with The playlistLaw revealed to fans that there is a “new iteration” of the Sherlock Holmes 3 scenario. He also admitted to not having read the new version, suggesting that fans may still have a while before they can expect further updates.
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As for other projects in the same universe, it was reported in 2022 that Robert Downey Jr. was involved in two Sherlock Holmes spin-off series in development at HBO Max. No details have been released about the alleged storylines, although the series is expected to be a continuation of the films. No new information has been shared about the shows since their initial announcement.
Who will be in Sherlock Holmes 3?
No official distribution announcement has been made
While there is no concrete news regarding casting, Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law are expected to reprise their roles as Holmes and Dr. John Watson, respectively. After all, a crucial part of this franchise is bringing the two together. Sherlock Holmes 3 wouldn’t be the same without its two main stars. Richie’s comment once again confirmed that if a third movie were to be made, Robert Downey Jr. would definitely be attached to it, given that he’s the one calling the shots. Paul Anderson is set to return as villain Sebetian Moran.
The rest of the cast will depend on the direction the story takes. In 2020, it was reported that the third film would include a new character named Sidney Bloom.who is a young undercover US Marshals agent posing as a San Francisco journalist. Bloom would have played an important role in the story and would receive significant screen time. The film could also make her a young protégé for Holmes. The same report states that the upcoming film will also include a new villain named Senator Cornelius Guest.
The senator is a gifted politician with a Bowie knife. He allegedly plotted to steal the country’s gold reserves. It’s not yet known if the senator will have a relationship with Moran, but the latter villain is expected to be back as he seeks revenge on Dr. Watson for the death of Professor Moriarty. With the film’s new storyline, it’s unclear if these characters will still appear.
When will Sherlock Holmes 3 hit theaters?
The film does not have a confirmed release date at this time.
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After not missing the two previous dates set by the studio, there have been no updates aside from Susan Downey’s comment. However, his comments offer some reassurance about the film. It seems that with Young Sherlock By bringing the focus back to the beloved character, fans may be able to hear more news in the near future. Although the film has encountered many obstacles in its path, fans can count on the studio’s hope of making a third film.
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The end of Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows left a lot of intrigue for the next film. The final teasing scene reveals that Holmes survived his fall after seemingly sacrificing himself to take down Moriarty. Additionally, the detective prepares a surprise by hiding in Watson’s living room. While Watson initially believed his best friend was dead, he will surely discover his survival. There is no doubt that the two men will soon go on an adventure together.
The third film should pick up with Watson learning the truth, but the writing also doesn’t have to follow the direction laid out in A play of shadows. A previous report also said that the film could be set in San Francisco, during the Wild West era, and star Harry Houdini, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s real-life friend and escape artist, and Officer William J.Burns. With A game of shadows Set in 1891, the same year Houdini began his career as an escape artist in America, it seems plausible to incorporate the magician into the story. Burns, who was the American version of Sherlock Holmes, was also present at the same time.
- Director
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Guy Ritchie
- Release date
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December 22, 2021
- Writers
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Chris Brancato
- Character(s)
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Dr John Watson, Sherlock Holmes, Professor James Moriarty, Inspector Lestrade
- Producers
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Bruce Berman, Joel Silver, Lionel Wigram, Dan Lin