Sure, you could make a case that vampires are in and wizards are out, but not so fast: Arthur Conan Doyle’s famed sleuth is enjoying a nice revival as well. And it’s not just an elementary occurrence either. Less than two years ago he made an entertaining return to cinemas with Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes and Jude Law as his best friend Dr. John Watson. It was a big holiday hit for Warner Bros. and the studio looks to capitalize with a sequel later this year with director Guy Ritchie, who had himself a nice career boost post-Madonna drama when he filmed the first Sherlock Holmes.
Besides a film sequel, with new additions like Stephen Fry as Sherlock’s brother Mycroft and Dragon Tattoo‘s Noomi Racape in her U.S. debut, Doyle’s character got a makeover on the BBC series Sherlock, where he was allowed to sleuth in the contemporary times.
Recently Hero Complex visited the set and came away with some new details and an image of the film, in which it appears the duo of Holmes and Watson have just finished tea and are about to go back to sleuthing.
As far as details, Rapace’s gypsy character is named Sim, and Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock’s brother, may be even more brilliant than the sleuth, this according to producer Susan Downey. And it is hinted that Professor Moriarty (played by Mad Men‘s Jared Harris), who has more on his mind than higher learning, will be the world’s first supervillain.
The story picks up right where the first ended, with Holmes back on the case to track down Moriarty throughout Europe. Watson, meanwhile, tries to keep his relationship with Mary Morstan (Kelly Reilly) an even keel.
Hero Complex’s article includes details about different set pieces we can expect including Watson firing a Gatling Gun at a train depot.
When asked about how this still Untitled Sherlock Holmes Sequel will be in relation to the disappointing Iron Man 2 Downey responds, “Look, I’ve done a sequel or two now—I feel like I should be in a recovery group for sequel-itis survivors. First, there is a bit of inflation. Then, you say, ‘We have to work harder.’ Then you work harder, but not smarter.”
Guess we’ll find out if this sequel falls under the smarter category when it hits theaters on December 16, 2011.
