Writer/director Guy Ritchie (RocknRolla) discussed details of his upcoming crime drama, Sherlock Holmes, with USA Today.

Based on Lionel Wigram's comic book, the film stars Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes, who is said to be more adventuresome and take advantage of his skills as a boxer and swordsman.

Read what Guy Ritchie had to say:

"It will be a very big production, visceral and intellectual," Ritchie says. "His brilliance will percolate into the action."

The expected 2010 Warner release will be set in the olden days, he says, but the emphasis will be as much on Holmes' physical prowess as it is on his keen powers of deduction.

"His intellect was as much of a curse as it was a blessing," Ritchie says. "He was a deeply layered character."

No word on the villain yet, but there will be a love interest based on Conan Doyle's Irene Adler. Casting is expected to be finished in six or so weeks.

Ritchie already has been lucky to snag Robert Downey Jr., hot off of this summer's Iron Man and Tropic Thunder, as his lead.

Production is set to start filming in the fall.