Sherlock Holmes sequel is searching for a Moriarty

Mark Strong was a satisfactory villain in SHERLOCK HOLMES, but most people who have a basic familiarity with the famous sleuth were probably wondering when his nemesis Moriarty would step from the shadows.

Now that the action-detective’s first case was a smash hit, SHERLOCK is coming back and his arch rival is stepping to the forefront. But who could personify such a devious character?

With director Guy Ritchie’s sequel gearing up for production (it’s due December 2011), that’s a valid question. Some names on the supposed wish list for the dastardly Professor Moriarty currently include Daniel Day Lewis (ooh), Gary Oldman (please), Sean Penn (??) and Javier Bardem.

Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law will, of course, be coming back for more Victorian-era investigating and fisticuffs, this time contending with the menace of the most notorious criminal mastermind.