Guy Ritchie’s decision to exit the production of “Sherlock Holmes 3” with Robert Downey Jr. has sparked intrigue and speculation across Hollywood. Ritchie, renowned for his sharp storytelling, has instead chosen to channel his creative energies into a new venture, “Young Sherlock,” a series to be featured on Prime Video. The series is set to explore the early days of the iconic detective, inspired by Andy Lane’s book series and will star the up-and-coming Hero Fiennes Tiffin.
Ritchie’s shift has left the much-anticipated third installment of the Sherlock Holmes series starring Downey Jr. in a state of limbo. In 2019, Dexter Fletcher, known for his work on “Rocketman,” was brought in to take the helm of the third film. However, the project has struggled to move forward, a development Fletcher attributes to an alignment of overly packed schedules exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Fletcher candidly expressed to CinemaBlend the challenges faced:
The simple truth was that I worked closely with Robert and Jude, but mainly Robert, for quite a while on it. And we got it to a certain point, and then Covid hit. And that threw everyone to the winds.
Dexter Fletcher’s Dilemma
The pandemic not only halted production but dispersed the project’s momentum into what Fletcher describes as the winds of busy schedules. With major players like Downey Jr. moving on to other high-profile projects, including working with Christopher Nolan on “Oppenheimer,” reassembling the team has become a Herculean task.
These things are so delicate that now trying to pull all those threads back together to a meaningful place is proving to be difficult. I’m busy. He’s busy. People are busy.
The stagnation of “Sherlock Holmes 3” is particularly disheartening given the franchise’s financial success; the first film garnered nearly $500 million worldwide, with its sequel surpassing this achievement. This underlines the potential loss not just in cultural impact but also significant financial returns for Warner Bros. should the project fall through completely.
Guy Ritchie’s Strategic Exit
Ritchie’s departure from the project marks a notable shift in his career trajectory, focusing on new narratives rather than continuing with established franchises. While promoting his film “Operation Fortune,” Ritchie clarified his position regarding the dormant project:
Well, honestly, I left this up to Robert [Downey Jr.]. So Robert wanted to be in charge of this. The ball’s in his court, so he’s in charge of the script, he’s in charge of the whole thing. I’ve moonwalked out of that until there’s a time for me to get involved. This move, however, does not signal Ritchie’s withdrawal from innovative storytelling. His new project “Young Sherlock” promises to delve into the unexplored territories of Sherlock Holmes’s youth, bringing fresh perspectives to the beloved character. With Hero Fiennes Tiffin at the forefront, Ritchie is poised to captivate a new generation of viewers.
What Lies Ahead for Sherlock Holmes
As the industry continues to reel from the aftershocks of the pandemic, the fate of “Sherlock Holmes 3” remains uncertain. The transition from Downey Jr.’s charismatic portrayal to Tiffin’s nascent take on the character encapsulates a broader narrative of change and adaptation in the cinematic world. As audiences, we can only wait and see whether the traditional charm of Sherlock Holmes will eventually find its way back to the big screen, or if the torch will indeed be passed on to a younger iteration of the detective, redefining his legacy for years to come.