I've got one heck of a soft spot for Guy Ritchie's SHERLOCK HOLMES franchise, not only are they immensely entertaining, but the chemistry between Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law is, for lack of a better word, delightful. It's been close to five years since the release of SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS and given the sequels success, I'm a little surprised that it's taken this long to get the gang back together for another adventure. However, it was just last week when Robert Downey Jr. spoke with the ShortList and said that the third SHERLOCK HOLMES film may be shooting later this year.
When we’re making those Sherlock movies it is off the hook. [So] we’ll attempt to make one this year. It really is a big deal to go and do those movies. I’m tired all the time, but I’m so excited about it.
I suppose we can blame the busy schedules of both Guy Ritchie and the cast for this delay, but it seems like things are finally moving forward. Deadline reports that James Coyne has been tapped by Warner Bros. to perform a rewrite on the existing SHERLOCK HOLMES script, which originated from Drew Pearce (IRON MAN 3). Both Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr. are expected to return, but everyone involved has expressed the desire to take their time with the script in order to top what came before. Can't argue with that.
As for SHERLOCK HOLMES director Guy Ritchie, he'll be launching a brand new franchise next year with KNIGHTS OF THE ROUNDTABLE: KING ARTHUR. The upcoming film is the first of a planned six-film series and stars Charlie Hunnam as "a streetwise young Arthur who runs the back alleys of Londinium with his gang, unaware of the life he was born for until he grasps hold of the sword Excalibur—and with it, his future." KNIGHTS OF THE ROUNDTABLE: KING ARTHUR will be released on March 24, 2017.