It has been more than six years since the last time the greatest detective in the world appeared on-screen to defeat a criminal mastermind and lived to tell the tale. The potential third installment was supposed to go underway soon after but for whatever reasons, Sherlock Holmes 3 ended up in temporary stasis. Thankfully, the wheels have finally started turning again.
The following is basically everything there is to know about the upcoming movie. You can expect more updates with time.
The plot
The storyline remains aloof for now, presumingly because a script remains to be written. That being said, it is highly believed that the major plot point was already finalized by those involved years back.
While the synopsis should surface once production gets underway, it has been ascertained that the third installment will also be based on the source materials from author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
It has been rumored that the plot will involve “time travel” but not in the literal sense. Perhaps those familiar with the original novels might be able to figure out this puzzle.
The returning cast
Rest assured that the third installment cannot possibly be made without Robert Downey Jr. (Sherlock Holmes) and Jude Law (Dr. John Watson) reprising their titular roles. The two veteran actors have already made it certain that they are ready to pick up the trail from where they left off.
Rachel McAdams (Irene Adler) is strongly rumored to be returning at this point, while it is hoped that Eddie Marsan (Inspector Lestrade) will make the cut as well.
There is no word on whether Jared Harris (Professor James Moriarty) will be part of the next installment but it does seem like Sherlock Holmes 3 will feature a new antagonist. This is not because of how Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011) concluded since those perceived dead have a knack of coming back in sequels, but because the actor himself recently revealed that he has never been contacted about the upcoming projects in the franchise.
The director
Both Sherlock Holmes (2009) and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011) received critical acclaim on the back of director Guy Ritchie, and it was pretty much assumed that he would be returning for the third time as well. However, there has been no confirmation given yet.
Ritchie is currently helming the live-action Aladdin (2019) remake, and will then take on a crime-drama movie called Toff Guys later this year. Hence, it seems unlikely that there would be room in his busy schedule for Sherlock Holmes 3 unless there are unprecedented delays for either of the two projects.
The expectations
It is too soon to be analyzing the amount of earnings Sherlock Holmes 3 can rake in the foreseeable future but if a figure needs to be attached, it could be anywhere north of the $550 million mark in the worldwide box office.
This is based on the fact that the previous two installments made $524 million and $545 million respectively. Robert Downey Jr. has only risen in prominence since then, courtesy of his ventures as Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Hence, there is the possibility of Sherlock Holmes 3 surpassing its predecessors — hopefully, by a good margin.
Elsewhere, the actor has affirmed in the past that everyone involved wants “it [Sherlock Holmes 3] to be the best of the series.” So there is something to look forward to for the fans.
The production and release dates
The third installment in the lineup was revealed this week to have been pegged by Warner Bros. for principal photography later this year. If everything goes according to plan, Sherlock Holmes 3 will release in theaters worldwide on December 25, 2020.
This will be just a week after the release of the highly anticipated Avatar 2 (2020) from director James Cameron. Coincidentally, the first Sherlock Holmes and Avatar installments released on the same dates back then as well.
