Director Guy Ritchie has decided to tackle a new movie adaptation based on Arthur Conan Doyle's detective Sherlock Holmes. The movie, simply titled Sherlock Holmes,is starring Robert Downey, Jr. as Holmes and Jude Law as Watson. Filming started in early October in London, UK. We may expect the movie Sherlock Holmes to be released during the second half of 2009.
The Plot:
"Detective Sherlock Holmes (Downey Jr.) and his stalwart partner Watson (Law) engage in a battle of wits and brawn with a nemesis whose plot is a threat to all of England." (Source: IMDb)
Here below a first look at Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes and Jude Law as Dr. John Watson:
(Click on the piucture to enlarge it.)
Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law on the set of Serhlock Holmes in LondonIf one follows the traditional representation of the two detectives, the roles would have been assigned the other way around: the slim shape of Jude Law is a better match of Sherlock Holmes traditional representation and aging Robert Downey's physiognomy is more similar to Watson's...
(Click on the piucture to enlarge it.)Traditional representation of Sherlock Holmes (with his pipe)
and Dr. Watson (crossing his arms).But may be Director Guy Ritchie is purposely trying to make us reconsider what we know of Sherlock Holmes and his universe.I heard that Guy Ritchie wants to show that Serlock Holmes' intellect is as much of a curse as it is a blessing. He said that it will be a very contemporary film as far as the tone and texture, because it has been a relatively long time since there's been a film version of Sherlock Holmes that people embraced.
If I can make a bold statement, I bet this Sherlock Holmes movie will indeed reboot the English detective!
One thing I am just thinking about that Robert Downey Jr. and Sherlock Holmes have in common is their drug addiction: Robert Downey Jr. was indeed a drug addict (no idea what kind) and Sherlock Holmes regularly takes opium... But I suppose that Hollywood will not dwell on this dark side of the story... But it could have been interesting...
:)