Sherlock Holmes 3: Confirmation, Release Date Prediction & Everything We Know (2024)

Sherlock Holmes 3 is the follow up to 2011's Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, and the continuation of the journey of Robert Downey Jr.'s version of the titular character alongside Jude Law's Dr. John Watson. The first two films in the period mystery thriller saga, which were both directed by Guy Ritchie, have a combined $1 billion haul at the global box office against a total production budget of just $215 million, proving that the Sherlock Holmes franchise is a profitable one for Warner Bros.

It’s been over a decade since the second movie in the Robert Downey Jr. Sherlock Holmes series, and despite Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes 3 being confirmed shortly after A Game of Shadows arrived, the release date for the next RDJ and Jude Law adventure remains elusive. The third film has been stuck in development hell for a few years now, with a slew of writers reportedly working on the movie's story. Despite that, updates have been coming in, and there’s much to discuss around Sherlock Holmes 3.

Most Recent Sherlock Holmes 3 News

The Threequel Is "Still Very Much Alive"

While news regarding the highly-anticpated threequel has seemingly ground to a halt, the latest news comes as an encouraging update from the producer of Sherlock Holmes 3. Susan Downey has been championing the project in recent years and has good news for fans. While she couldn't give much in terms of a concrete update, Downey mentioned that the project is "still very much alive in our hearts", emphasizing that finding the right story direction is key. With the prequel series, Young Sherlock, currently in the works with Guy Ritchie directing, attention will once again turn to the blockbuster movie franchise.

Read Downey's full comments below:

I mean, look, no, there's no update, other than it's still very much alive in our hearts. Every day we talk about, "What is the best next version of that?" Because anytime I see Robert and Jude together, which fortunately, I do get to see a few times a year, we hang out, and I'm just like, "Can I get these guys back on screen together?", it's magic. There needs to be a really strong reason, it needs to be a great story, and we do have some things in the works.

Sherlock Holmes 3 Is Confirmed

The Sequel's Long & Troubled History

Sherlock Holmes 3 was first confirmed in 2011 shortly after the release of A Game of Shadows, but production was incredibly slow until things kickstarted again in 2018 (via Collider). In July 2019, it was confirmed that Rocketman filmmaker Dexter Fletcher had been recruited to direct Sherlock Holmes 3 but that update hasn't been followed up on in the years since. No official reason was given as to why Ritchie was being replaced.

Netflix's Narcos co-creator Chris Brancato was tapped by Warner Bros. to write the script for Sherlock Holmes 3. When director Dexter Fletcher was attached to the project a 2021 release window was set. However, this never materialized, thanks most likely to the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. No new release date has been announced since, and it’s unclear if momentum on developing the delayed Sherlock Holmes 3 has picked up again since.

Sherlock Holmes 3 Cast

Will Robert Downey Jr. & Jude Law Return?

The cast of Sherlock Holmes 3 hasn’t been officially confirmed, but the stars of the first two movies in the trilogy, Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, are expected to reprise their roles. Robert Downey Jr. should be back as Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock Holmes 3 while Law is expected to return as Holmes' sidekick and voice of reason, Dr. John Watson. The rest of the cast is unclear, and it will depend on what direction the story takes. There are certainly other cast members who could reprise their roles, but it's uncertain who they would be.

Sherlock Holmes 3 Story

Which Case Will Sherlock Crack Next?

Whatever the story of Sherlock Holmes 3 ends up being, it was clearly opened up by the ending of Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. After successfully foiling Professor Moriarty's (Jared Harris) plans to instigate a war in Europe, Holmes seemingly sacrificed himself to take out Moriarty and protect Watson and his new wife, Mary. However, it was revealed that Holme's survived his fall and was none the worse for wear after all. This leaves the door wide open for a third story, and it doesn't necessarily have to follow Sir. Arthur Conan Doyle's writings.

With nothing certain yet, it's assumed that the story for Sherlock Holmes 3 will be a mystery that not only tests the duo's wits, but puts them in mortal danger as well. The likeliest option is an amalgamation of Conan Doyle's works and modern Hollywood imagination to help make the exhausted franchise exciting again.

Sherlock Holmes 3

Not Yet Rated

Mystery

Crime

Action

While plot details are unknown, Sherlock Holmes 3 will be the third installment in the Sherlock Holmes franchise, starring Roberty Downey Jr. and Jude Law as the titular detective and his sidekick Dr. Watson. Although the first two films were directed by Guy Ritchie, Dexter Fletcher is set to replace Ritchie in the role of director for the third. The film may pick up where the events of the second film left off, finally answering the question of how Holmes survived his fall from the Reichenbach Falls with Professor Moriarty, as teased at the end of the previous film.

Director

Dexter Fletcher

Release Date

Writers

Chris Brancato

Cast

Robert Downey Jr. , Jude Law

Main Genre

Mystery