Downey Jr To Take On Sherlock Holmes? He's in line for Guy Ritchie adaptation Source: EW
Casting rumours are generally best ignored (how many of those Spider-Man casting whispers have come true?), but this one comes from a generally reliable source, so there's surely something to it. Entertainment Weekly is reporting that Robert Downey Jr is in the frame for Sherlock Holmes, which Guy Ritchie is set to direct. This will be based on Lionel Wigram's forthcoming comic book, rather than Arthur Conan Doyle's books directly, so expect more sword-fighting and boxing, and less deerstalker-wearing and violin-playing.
Is casting an American as Holmes sacrilege? Generally speaking, it might be, but this is Robert Downey Jr. As long as he can nail the accent (and we vaguely remember him doing a good job in Chaplin and Restoration) then there's nothing to say he wouldn't be fantastic in the role. He's got experience with substance abuse to draw on. He's proved he can do action in Iron Man. He can do wit and intelligence.
This is still just something he's apparently eyeing – along with a number of other projects including Brett Ratner's Hugh Hefner biopic – and no contracts are said to have been signed. Also there's the small question of the Iron Man sequel, which could see him tied up for a good part of next year, when Holmes would probably also shoot. But could you see him as the great detective?
With slightly darker hair, Charles Dance would have made a GREAT Holmes; Robert Downey is a superb actor, but he's too short and his features are wrong for the part.
The other possible reported choice, David Tennent, is fantastic as DR WHO, but a little weak on the big screen.
A karate kicking Sherlock smacks too much of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen; I'd like to see the adaptation of a Bakunin mystery about the detective Fedorin, (sounds pretentious, but it's basically very-funny ... Read More
With slightly darker hair, Charles Dance would have made a GREAT Holmes; Robert Downey is a superb actor, but he's too short and his features are wrong for the part.
The other possible reported choice, David Tennent, is fantastic as DR WHO, but a little weak on the big screen.
A karate kicking Sherlock smacks too much of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen; I'd like to see the adaptation of a Bakunin mystery about the detective Fedorin, (sounds pretentious, but it's basically very-funny ... Read More
Wow this idea is so bad, a short fat hyperative yank as Holmes? Downey is gonna dissapoint his fans yet again and all the Holmes fans, Worst idea ever! ... Read More
L: Dexter Morgan
L: Kazuya
I would have no problem with Downey Jr. taking on the role, what a fantastic actor. It's the director I'm worried about.
b]Ditto, this sounded interesting untill i saw chiexactly. Of course a director with a some flair for action scenes is required if they want to do the boxing, sword-fighting Holmes, but Ritchie? Give me a fucking break.
... Read More
L: abiggerboat84
As far as I'm concerned, Robert Downey Jr should be given ALL leading roles, regardless of race (as proven in tropic thunder) or gender. This may mean only one film each year, but every film would be great.
So let him play Sherlock, Bilbo, The remaining Avengers... whoever
sm=happy07.gif]of a fan eh?
Not sure he'd fit into the Wasp's dress. ... Read More
Robert Downey Junior is a brilliant actor. His turns in Zodiac and more recently Iron Man demonstrate this easily. I think he could pretty much play anything he wanted but I would rather see a younger actor playing Holmes. In most of the stories he's in his 20's or early 30's I think although to be fair my favourite actor to play him has been Jeremy Brett and he's was older. To set the record straight on the books (not the films) Holmes I think only wears a deerstalker once or twice and he's ve... Read More
L: Shifty Bench
L: Silvertouch
Sherlock Holmes is as English as can be. Would you allow RDJ to play James Bond?
Ian Richardson (Scottish), Frank Langella (American), Richard Roxburgh (Australian), Matt Frewer (American) and Christopher Plummer (Canadian) have all played Holmes before (some more than once)....
sp;
Indeed, and the character of Holmes was also largely inspired by the Scottish Dr. Joseph Bell. (Doyle himself was also Scottish). One of the very best portrayals of Hol... Read More
L: Silvertouch
Sherlock Holmes is as English as can be. Would you allow RDJ to play James Bond?
Ian Richardson (Scottish), Frank Langella (American), Richard Roxburgh (Australian), Matt Frewer (American) and Christopher Plummer (Canadian) have all played Holmes before (some more than once).... ... Read More
L: Frank Castle
Downey jnr is a great actor but sherlock holmes? seriously he's gotta be a brit. But then again we got a welsh dude playing batman so i suppose anything is possible?
And Frank Castle in the next Punisher film is being played by an Irish dude :D] ... Read More
As far as I'm concerned, Robert Downey Jr should be given ALL leading roles, regardless of race (as proven in tropic thunder) or gender. This may mean only one film each year, but every film would be great.
So let him play Sherlock, Bilbo, The remaining Avengers... whoever ... Read More
