When people think of Tony Stark (aka Iron Man) they also think of Robert Downey Jr. Aside from Benedict Cumberbatch, fans of Sherlock Holmes also long for the days of seeing Downey conduct some brilliant deducing on the big screen. It has been 11 years since Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law starred in the franchise. The ending of 2011’s Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows set things up things where audiences could expect a sequel with Sherlock literally coming back from the dead and correcting Watson’s paper, adding “The End?” at the bottom of his story.
Earlier this year, Downey was asked on Sean Hayes and Dr. Priyanka Wali’s podcast Hypochondriactor if Sherlock Holmes 3 was happening, the actor replied, “Everything is happening,” and that he would love to work with Jude Law again. In an interview with Collider, the movie's director Dexter Fletcher expressed optimism about a third installment being made but admitted he had no firm timeline or updates on the film’s status, adding:
"The pandemic derailed it. I do think it will get made. I think it has to be made. I don’t know what the timeline of that is, unfortunately, but I believe it should be. It’s fantastic. I think it’s about all the right people being at the right place, at the right time. I think it’s that. It’s one of those cruel twists of fate, where the pandemic hit and that scattered people around the world to the wind. But I know that the appetite is huge for it, and I’m sure there are other people acutely aware of that as well. But I believe it should be because it’s brilliant. I very much hope so."
Robert Downey Jr and Filmmaker Wife Susan Are Bringing Sherlock Holmes Back to Life
Founded by Susan and Robert Downey, Jr, Team Downey production company is already busy working with HBO Max on two Sherlock Holmes shows. The couple will serve as executive producers of the shows, with each show introducing a new character that will be main the focus of the plot. Whether they will be villains or allies remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, rumors have been swirling since 2020 that Downey wants to involve his close pal Johnny Depp in the franchise, especially with the sluggish career path he has found himself in over the past few years. One of the first people to congratulate Depp for winning his defamation suit was Downey, and a rep for the Sherlock Holmes actor confirmed that the two did face-time each other following the jury’s decision. A Holmes threequel would definitely get fans high on excitement. Stay tuned.