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Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes is Robert Downey Jr.
July 9, 2008
by Alex Billington
Robert Downey Jr. has quickly become one of the most sought after actors in Hollywood hot off the heels of Iron Man (and soon Tropic Thunder). In addition to starring in the upcoming Cowboys & Aliens as Zeke Jackson, Playboy as Hugh Hefner, and Iron Man 2, he is also in final negotiations to play Sherlock Holmes in Guy Ritchie's adaptation. We already announced the project a month back and in between then and now, another Sherlock Holmes film starring Sacha Baron Cohen as Holmes and Will Ferrell as his sidekick Watson was also announced. I don't think the two films are going to battle to completion, as Warner Brothers is hoping to release Ritchie's film by October of 2009, while Ferrell's is probably not due until 2010. I never thought it would come to this: Downey Jr. and Baron Cohen both as Sherlock Holmes.
Ritchie's version of the British super sleuth is actually based off of an upcoming comic book that producer Lionel Wigram wrote to sell a new take on the classic character. The concept has Holmes as a more adventurous and less stuffy version than previously seen. In the original announcement, Ritchie said that the adaptation will highlight less-than-well-known traits of Holmes, including the character's drug use, specifically cocaine and morphine - a perfect fit for Downey Jr. Apparently he actually took an interest himself when producer Joel Silver showed him Ritchie's concept for Holmes. The film will shoot this fall with Joel Silver, Lionel Wigram, Susan Downey and Dan Lin all producing.
Guy Ritchie has been under a lot of scrutiny lately from fellow bloggers because they think he isn't a talent director. I don't know why they're so against him, because I love his work and think he truly is a brilliant filmmaker, even if his two masterpieces (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch) were made back in 1998 and 2000, respectively. I've been incredibly curious to see what Ritchie would do with Holmes since first hearing about it and now my interest has definitely peaked with Downey Jr.'s involvement as well. I don't think anyone can deny that they're most likely a lot more curious now that he's involved. Let's hope the funnier Cohen and Ferrell version doesn't end up the better one. Thoughts?
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Reader Feedback - 13 Comments »
2
Sounds verrry interesting…
So much for a "straight" and honest version of the great detective, but hey, there's always Batman and House!
Ivan on Jul 10, 2008
3
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Robert Downey is PERFECT for this role.
The picture with this article sells it!
fatjoe on Jul 10, 2008
4
so is RDJ the comeback king of 2008?
The Delightful Deviant on Jul 10, 2008
6
Damn Robert Downey Jr. is becoming a big star in Hollywood with all these new projects that are a great fit for him. Besides him being perfect as Tony Stark i think this is the best role he has perfect fit as holmes, didn't care to much about this project now its got my attention.
Curtis on Jul 10, 2008
7
I don't think I like either choices, but I'd rather see Jr. play Holmes, than Borat.
Brian on Jul 10, 2008
8
if you had any doubt about Ritchie, don't forget that he was the one behind the beautiful and original tv spots for nike during EURO 2008 (seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anwlpTgbQTE)
your 'fellow bloggers' aren't very thorough
alex on Jul 10, 2008
9
he perfected the Scorcese point-of-view shots famous in movies such as "Mean Streets" and replicated time and time again, even in the upcoming "The Wackness" (see the red band trailer, middle finger sequence), but now applied to fast-moving actions like running and jumping. Ritchie really really impressed with those nike ads.
alex on Jul 10, 2008
10
Ow i'm so glad about RDJ. I wasn't a big fan of his, i mean i didn't hate the guy but u know 
Anywho i saw kiss kiss bang bang and thought, omg he rules, so i'm really glad about the attention he's getting lately cuz of Iron Man[which i didn't c yet tho :(]!
Now if they could only bring back ed grimly somehow :))))
sng.Sheep on Jul 10, 2008
11
much better than the rumors I hard a long while back about Russel Crowe..I fucking hate Russel Crowe, glad RDJ is up for this, I'm sure it will be great.
Garrett.king on Jul 10, 2008
13
this is a brilliant casting choice i love downey jr and i think he will blow borat outta the water. all hail the comeback king of 2008. lol
Sally on Aug 6, 2008