Warner Bros. looks to have solved the case of the missing director.
Variety reports that Dexter Fletcher has signed on to direct Sherlock Holmes 3, with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law returning to star as Holmes and Watson.
Guy Ritchie helmed the first two films in the series: 2009’s Sherlock Holmes and 2011’s Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. Both were highly successful, in no small part to Warner Bros. riding the Iron Man gravy train, with the two grossing $1.069 billion worldwide.
Even though it’ll be ten years before the third film hits theaters, sources say Warner Bros. had always planned on making a third film. It was Downey’s busy schedule as Iron Man that prevented any new filming for the series.
Having just seen Rocketman earlier this month, I think Fletcher is a great choice. He managed to blend Elton John’s real life with more fantastical elements. If he can do the same with Sherlock Holmes (realism with hyper-real mystery) then I’ll have my butt in the seat. I just hope Fletcher and WB keep the slow-motion real-time thinking of Downey’s Holmes. Those bits are pure enjoyment.
Sherlock Holmes 3 hits theaters December 21, 2021.
