While we do not have an update regarding a new Sherlock Holmes movie, it is (potentially) even more exciting as the franchise is getting two new Holmes series on HBO Max. Robert Downey Jr., Susan Downey, and Lionel Wigram are at the helm as producers. Sherlock Holmes (2009) and Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows (2011) are two beloved films due to their engaging and surprising plot lines, cutting edge visuals, excellent performances, and great chemistry between Holmes and Dr. Watson, portrayed by Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, respectively. After a vicious cycle that's gone on for upwards of a decade of announcements of a third movie and news that it has been put on the back burner, perhaps due to RDJ's work as Iron Man for Marvel, it seems that HBO Max has stepped in to lour us all in for more Sherlock content!
Speaking on his desire to create a new universe out of the Sherlock Holmes character and lore, per IGN, Downey said, "At this point, we feel as if there is not really a mystery-verse built out anywhere, and Conan-Doyle is the definitive voice in that arena, to this day." Since RDJ is no stranger to -verses, -iverses, universes, or multiverses, we couldn't be more excited to see what he and his producer compatriots have planned for all-encompassing adaptations of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's irresistible world of intrigue, funny hats, tobacco pipes, and bromancing.
A Game Of Shadows: Where We Left Off
Sherlock Holmes 1 and 2 were directed by Guy Ritchie, who brought his style and swag to the English Detective's tale, making the protagonist an even snarkier, more self-destructive martial artist, a pretty big departure from the more refined books. Regardless, Ritchie's imagination and Robert Downey Jr.'s fearless yet tender athletic performance paid off, and audiences were left with an absolutely smashing Holmes franchise to enjoy on the big screen.
Unfortunately, audiences have also been left hanging for years after A Game of Shadows' ending, when Holmes sacrificed himself to the big bad Moriarty (Jared Harris) to save his friends. Months later, Dr. Watson, believing his beloved bestie to be deceased, receives a parcel with no return address. He opens the package to find a device that could conceivably have been used to ensure Sherlock's survival after falling down a waterfall. As he leaves the room to question his wife about who delivered the parcel, Sherlock reveals himself to be in the room concealed by camouflage and types a question mark at the end of Dr. Watson's novel about their adventures.
Fans have been waiting to see Downey and Law's Sherlock Holmes and John Watson, two of the most classic best friends in literary history whose relationship has been frequently expounded upon in popular culture, reunited. Now that it's been so long, what can we expect to see from these characters in their HBO continuation? Also, can we even expect to see these characters at all?
Sherlock Series: What We Hope For
There is little confirmed about the two HBO series other than their producers. We hope that at least one of these new projects will be a continuation of the characters from A Game of Shadows and pick up somewhat where we last left off. The films were so new and striking at the time, and the characters quickly carved out homes for themselves inside the hearts of audiences. Sherlock's tormented world and his game with Moriarty were quickly gripping, and it is important to remember that these films predated, even set the stage for, the renowned BBC series Sherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman.
Hopefully, at least one series will feature RDJ, Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, and even Jared Harris. Harris's fearsome, calculating, and tyrannical rendition of Moriarty could have survived the same fall that Sherlock did and would definitely come back for vengeance, if possible. What the other series will be is totally unknown. Will it be a spinoff of one of the characters in the movies? Will it draw from the books or create something new?
It's also worth speculating whether the actress who played Dr. Watson's grounded yet spunky wife, Mary, will return for any future Holmes shows. We are, of course, referring to actress Kelly Reilly, who has been recently launched into the stratosphere of television history by her work on a little show called Yellowstone (perhaps you've heard of it?). Sadly, we probably can't expect Guy Ritchie to return to the franchise, as the briefly-rumored third movie had already found a new director to oversee that project.
The Guy Ritchie/RDJ movies had a lot of heart, class, and nuance for their time and are widely enjoyed even today, despite that cliffhanger of an ending! We can't wait to see what they plan to do with HBO, but we definitely hope that their plans are at least a little based on their origins.