This is a live-update article and it will be updated as new details about Sherlock Homes 3 come our way. This is what we know so far.
Sherlock Holmes 3 was supposed to be released in December 2021. However, the anticipated third installment of the film series was put on an indefinite hold due to the recent pandemic. There have been talks about Sherlock Holmes 3 since January 2012, barely a month since the second film, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, hit the theaters. However, with the busy schedule of its lead stars, delays were inevitable. Here's everything we know so far about Sherlock Holmes 3.
Updated Release Date: unknown
The third installment of the period mystery action film was supposed to hit the theaters at Christmas in 2020, but Warner Brothers pushed back the film's release date to a whole year. At that time, Warner Bros did not provide any explanation behind the delay, but it soon turned out to be a good move as the Coronavirus pandemic started a global lockdown in March 2020. Sherlock Holmes 3 was then given a December 22, 2021, theatrical release date, but that did not materialize either. Now, the film has been taken off the calendars entirely, with no information left to suspect the release of the third part.
"That’s sort of sitting on the back burner at the moment until it becomes clear where the world is at and what's going to happen," director Dexter Fletcher, who is taking over from Ritchie, said during Celebrity Catch Up Podcast.
But recently, in June 2023, Susan Downey, who is Robert Downey Jr.'s wife and a producer, talked on the UnWrapped podcast (reported by FortressOfSolitude) about the Sherlock Holmes 3 movie. She said that they will make the movie when everything is perfect and it's really important to Robert and their company.
In her exact words:
”We’re going to do it when it’s right, with the right people, but it is a priority for the company and a priority for Robert.”
There would be no Sherlock Holmes films without the tandem of Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law as Holmes and Dr. Watson, respectively. Hence, we know for sure that they are returning to reprise their roles. As for Kelly Reilly, we are still waiting for confirmation if she will be returning for her role as Watson's wife, Mary. Although there are still no official announcements, there are theories that Jared Harris, who plays Holmes' nemesis in the second film, might also return. We will explain this further below. We might get to see new faces in the threequel. However, for us to gather more information, the film needs to begin production. Sadly, there are no known updates about the film going into production any time soon. Hence, we will have to wait until the next update from the crew.
If you think the film series could not get any better, well, think again. Downey revealed that they want the third film to be the best of the series.
."We want it to be the best of the series, so that's a pretty tall order," Downey said during a Q and A session on Reddit.
The first two films set the bar so high for the next installment in the film series. With several box office records and accolades, it is exciting to see how the third film will surpass the legacy of the first and second Sherlock Holmes films.
In terms of storyline, the first film saw Holmes and Watson fighting Lord Henry Blackwood (Mark Strong), while the second film introduced us to Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris) as the new nemesis. Moriarty was presumed dead after battling Holmes in season 2. However, Holmes was supposed to have died after the fight too, but instead, he shows up in Watson's office, faking his death. Holmes' survival leads us to believe that there could be a chance for Moriarty to return for the threequel as well. Of course, this remains a theory for now. What's certain is that the story will pick up from where Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows left. Holmes will be back, ready to save the world from the hands of evil villains, with Dr. Watson by his side.
"We hope to propel the story forward. As always, the essence of the story is their codependency," Law told EW.
Although there are no updates regarding the threequel, producer Susan Downey believes that some characters from the third film could have their own spin-offs. But, this will happen only once Sherlock Holmes 3 releases.
This article was reviewed and is up to date as of December 5, 2023.
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