Elementary my dear – jigga what? Does Robert Downey Jr. playing Sherlock Holmes in a Guy Ritchie revamp of the famous Scottish detective story sound a little odd to you? Well, too bad. It’s happening. You’ll remember this casting possibility was rumored a few short weeks ago and now the deal has come to pass according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The movie is shooting in the fall and is simply called, “Sherlock Holmes.” As previously noted this story is “more adventurous and less stuffy than previous screen incarnations and mines more obscure character traits,” says the movie trade publication. Warner Bros., who is also producing Ritchie’s “RocknRolla” that’s due in late October, is also producing this one which is tentatively slated for an October 2009 release date. This marks the second film adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s well-renowned super sleuth story. Sacha Baron Cohen and Will Ferrell will be starring in a comedy version produced by Judd Apatow, but that one doesn’t have a date or a director yet.
Now who are they going to hire as Watson for Ritchie’s version is what we want to know. Casting there to fit alongside RDJ will be crucial.