Robert Downey Jr. Wants to Launch a Sherlock Holmes Cinematic Universe

It's been 9 years since the release of Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, and only now is Robert Downey Jr. coming back to play the infamous super-sleuth. What's interesting is, RDJ actually wants to launch a cinematic universe with the Holmes franchise.

Talking to Fast Company, RDJ shares his thoughts on kick-starting a Sherlock Holmes cinematic universe. He explained:

"At this point, we really feel that there is not a mystery-verse built out anywhere, and Conan Doyle is the definitive voice in that arena, I think, to this day… So to me, why do a third movie if you're not going to be able to spin off into some real gems of diversity and other times and elements?"

Admittedly, fans are already expressing doubts, seeing as several attempts at cinematic universes have crashed and burned; probably the most prominent being Universal's Dark Universe.

If anything, it looks like Team Downey is looking to have these films come out on streaming services. Producer Susan Downey says:

"We think there's an opportunity to build it out more… Spin-off characters from a third movie, to see what's going on in the television landscape, to see what Warner Media is starting to build out, things with HBO and HBO Max."

While theatrical releases are big risks for studios, the existence of streaming services has proven to be the more safe option when it comes to publishing experimental projects; just look at Zack Snyder's Justice League and all the Marvel miniseries coming to HBO Max.

Admittedly, I'm not too excited at the thought of a Sherlock Holmes-universe, but I guess it will have to depend on how the third movie comes out. Sherlock Holmes 3 is set for a release on Dec. 22, 2021.

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