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The Good Sherlock Holmes Gets Another Good Cast Member

Hint: She’s Pretty / Dustin Rowles

Trade News | September 25, 2008 | Comments (39)

First, a recap: There are two Sherlock Holmes films in the works. The first, a Judd Apatow produced comedy, stars Sacha Cohen Baron as Sherlock and Will Ferrell as Dr. Watson. I don’t care about that one. It sounds lame and gimmicky. And Holmes is not a comedy character.

The second Holmes is a more serious, likely stylized hyperkinetic version, directed by sometimes good, sometimes not Guy Ritchie. Robert Downey, Jr. will play Holmes, which already makes it 100 times better than the Will Ferrell version. A few more cast members were added this week. First, Jude Law has been cast as Watson; when Law is not in bad romantic-dramas, he’s a pretty goddamn decent actor. So, kudos on the choice. Second, Rachel McAdams has now been added as Irene Adler, the romantic love interest. Finally, the main villain, Blackwood, has also been cast: RocknRolla’s Mark Strong.

Granted, purists are going to be unhappy with the addition of a love interest, but we’re talking about Robert Downey, Jr., folks. An RDJ movie simply isn’t complete unless he can bang someone. It’s all about being able to envision yourself as the love interest.


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Comments

I'm more unhappy about Ritchie's and RDJ's insistence that the movie will emphasize Holmes's apparent karate expertise. The words "action-packed" are getting thrown around way too much for my tastes.

Posted by: Macafee at September 25, 2008 2:15 PM

I'd do a porn a with Rachel Mac, that's how I feel about her. If the cast and direction are an indicator that flick SHOULD be a slam dunk.

I'm more intrigued by the Ferrell/Bruno vehicle. Check it...if Ferrell plays the straight man, it could work.

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at September 25, 2008 2:16 PM

"Granted, purists are going to be unhappy with the addition of a love interest"

Plus, you know, it's Rachel McAdams! She's so goddamn cute/sexy I would watch her do her taxes for two hours. Put her in a movie with The Downey?

Yes please.

Posted by: TK at September 25, 2008 2:19 PM

Downey makes me and women everywhere wet our panties. True story.

Posted by: Devo at September 25, 2008 2:27 PM

I nominate RDJ's nickname to be The Leaky Tampon, because women's panties are never dry when he's involved.

Posted by: stipe42 at September 25, 2008 2:31 PM

As a purist, I wouldn't be offended at the addition of Irene Adler. She is, after all, the only woman Holmes respects after she outwits him. But then she's gone! Holmes is an ascetic - he can't have a love interest!

I'm more pissed at all these American actors...are they going to do the fake British accent thing or what? [Shudder]

Posted by: AM at September 25, 2008 2:34 PM

Downey makes me and women everywhere wet our panties. True story.

Also, trannies. We musn't forget the trannies.

Posted by: Sean at September 25, 2008 2:36 PM

Trannies are people too!

I'm not a Sherlock Holmes person. Mysteries were never my thing (although there were certain Agatha Christie stories I loved). So, I'm all for RDJ as Holmes having a love interest, because that means love scenes. And since I'm either a chick or a tranny, I'm required by law to love this news.

Posted by: "Sybil" "Knife Pile" von Beaverplatz at September 25, 2008 2:47 PM

I am one of the dry-pantied females who isn't inclined to swoon for RDJ. After Less Than Zero he totally lost his appeal.

While I dig most of Ritchie's films, I may have to skip this one.

Posted by: MonkeyHateClean at September 25, 2008 3:42 PM

Sherlock Holmes bored the piss out of me in high school, but that's because I never imagined RDJr in that sassy hat. He's like Bacon Bits; he makes everything tastier.

Posted by: Mella at September 25, 2008 3:43 PM

I am one of the dry-pantied females who isn't inclined to swoon for RDJ. After Less Than Zero he totally lost his appeal.

Funny enough I wasn't a Downeyphiliac until Iron Man. Maybe I'm just a fucking nerd like that.

Posted by: Devo at September 25, 2008 4:04 PM

Did anyone catch last nights RW/RR Island? That shit was fantastic.

Posted by: jamiepants at September 25, 2008 4:10 PM

Psssh. You'll fawn anything involving RDJ. I'm not saying he's not WORTH it because he is a nice piece of work. But still. Holmes should be played by a Brit or not at all.

Posted by: figgy at September 25, 2008 4:20 PM

On the one hand, I love Conan-Doyle/Holmes to bits (fact: Hound of the Baskervilles holds the truth to the OJ murder case)

On the other hand, I hate anything involving Will Ferrell. I really don't care for Guy Ritchie. I am totally ambivalent about RDJ (no appeal to this lady).

But, fuck me. No Moriarty????

What's the point?

Posted by: PaddyDog at September 25, 2008 4:28 PM

I nominate RDJ's nickname to be The Leaky Tampon, because women's panties are never dry when he's involved.

I'm just gonna go ahead and veto the holy fuck out of that right now.

Posted by: MG at September 25, 2008 4:41 PM

Of course, the definitive Sherlock Holmes has already been done by two of the greatest dead British actors of our era.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOXnQLiMTpw

Posted by: AM at September 25, 2008 4:45 PM

Jude Law makes me sick.
He's one of those celebrities whose personal life distracts me from enjoying his professional. Ugh.

Posted by: Kash at September 25, 2008 5:19 PM

I don't believe in Jude Law. He's gross and greasy-looking, and even when he's clean he's still gross, because he looks like something that was animated in an electrical storm at Madame Tussaud's. If there were life sized Ken dolls, I suspect they'd look more realistically animatronic and less plastic than Jude Law. Also, he is a complete asswad.

Posted by: Sarina at September 25, 2008 5:31 PM

I don't know if I'd call myself a Holmsian purist, but I am definately a fan of the source material. But Holmes admires the shit out of Irene Adler and talks about her for years after the case, so making her into a romantic interest isn't too much a stretch.

Or maybe that's just my blind, unreasonable love/lust for RDJ talking.

Posted by: louveciennes at September 25, 2008 5:52 PM

I always get Jude Law confused with Stuart Townsend. Not that it matters much, as I have no love for either of them.

Posted by: popejenn at September 25, 2008 6:14 PM

It's not a stretch as long as she's like, there and gone. He can pine for her, but I'm pretty sure he would lose his observational mojo if he started getting any.

And furthermore, I always imagine Watson being all mustachioed and, if not exactly portly, then... comfortable looking. These two are going to look more like Batman and Robin then Holmes and Watson.

Posted by: AM at September 25, 2008 6:18 PM

Whoever the love interest is . . . not interested. Downey is not someone I've ever felt the need, as a woman, to fantasize about. His acting talent is enough--no fringe bennies needed.

Now, Christian, FUCKING Bale, THAT'S another story.

Posted by: NeoCleo at September 25, 2008 6:56 PM

Three reasons Jude Law is awesome: I Heart Huckabees, Road to Perdition, and A.I.

Three reasons RDJ is awesome: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Iron Man, and Zodiac (fourth reason: Chaplin)

Rachel McAdams and Guy Ritchie are also awesome.

New Sherlock Holmes=Potentially awesome.

Now, I think Sacha Baron Cohen would be a great choice for Holmes in a serious movie. He's really impressed me beyond just Borat, especially his brief but nuanced performance in Sweeney Todd. Will Ferrell is actually a good serious actor as well, as in Stranger Than Fiction. And I would be all behind Judd Apatow stretching himself to try and write something outside of his usual vein.

But a comedy Sherlock? Come on, it's been done!

Posted by: ChristianH at September 25, 2008 7:15 PM

"Three reasons Jude Law is awesome: I Heart Huckabees, Road to Perdition, and A.I."

Jude Law was easily the worst thing about I Heart Huckabees, I never saw Road to Perdition because it looked boring as hell, and A.I. suuuuuuuuuucked.

In short: Overruled, counselor.

Posted by: Sarina at September 25, 2008 7:30 PM

Yes but what about "Music From Another Room"?


Not so snide now, are ya?

Posted by: Jay at September 25, 2008 7:38 PM

Aw, I was kind of hoping for the rumor about Colin Farrell being cast as Watson was going to be true. I lurve him. It's probably a good thing though, because otherwise the hotness of RDJ+Colin+Rachel McAdams would make my brain explode. Among other things, probably...

Jude Law is attractive enough (does any else remember his "I'm so good-looking!" song from SNL? Awesome), but he does not make me nearly as hot and bothered as the other three.

Posted by: Mimi at September 25, 2008 8:30 PM

Also, I thought he was terrific as Dickie Greenleaf in The Talented Mr. Ripley. When I can get past his general skeeviness I enjoy him as an actor.

Posted by: Mimi at September 25, 2008 8:36 PM

Is that the one with Gretchen Mol, Jay? I forgot he was in that. Actually, I barely remember that movie at all. I don't even remember if I liked it or not. I remember people standing in a lot of doorways and talking, and I think Gretchen Mol wore a lot of sweaters. Am I even thinking of the right movie?

Posted by: Sarina at September 25, 2008 8:53 PM

See what I mean?

Thunderous.

Posted by: Jay at September 25, 2008 8:55 PM

I love it when you're such a shit.

Posted by: Sarina at September 25, 2008 9:18 PM

Why can't it be a Tyler Perry production...
Tyler Perry's "Ain't Noboby Got a Clue" starring Robert Downey Jr., playing an actor playing a colored Sherlock Holmes, Vivica Fox playing a love interest, and Omar Epps as Watson.....

I smell money biotches....

Posted by: Jesse Jackson at September 25, 2008 9:49 PM

Guh. RDJ and Mark Strong in the same movie. God knows how many times I'll watch this for my eyecandies and Mark Strong's purring voice.

Posted by: Vi at September 25, 2008 9:58 PM

It was Gwyneth Paltrow opposite Jude Law. THAT's why you can't remember

Posted by: Jo 'Mama' Besser at September 25, 2008 10:53 PM

The only way this is going to be good is if Sherlock Holmes aka RDJ spends half the movie naked and the other have banging me. Otherwise it's just another Hollywood movie raping good literature.

Posted by: Virenda at September 25, 2008 11:58 PM

Posted by: Jesse Jackson at September 25, 2008 9:49 PM
-------------

Skitt, I thought you were supposed to stop with the ellipses.....

Posted by: "Sybil" "Knife Pile" von Beaverplatz at September 26, 2008 10:40 AM

Okay, Jude Law blows. Guy Ritchie blows. RDJ is awesome, but Rachel McAdams? She's cute and all, but she's never done anything wonderful. Also keep in mind that The Notebook was awful, The Family Stone was awful, Red Eye was awful, she was the weakest actor in Wedding Crashers and Married Life, and while she did really good in Mean Girls I thought her costar Amanda Seyfreid (Lily Kane, Veronica Mars) could have done it just as well with the added benfit of not looking old enough to buy beer. There's also the problem of McAdams having actually wanted roles in The Last Kiss (Zach Braff), Fantastic Four, but turned down roles in Iron Man and The Dark Knight. She doesn't have very good taste. Couldn't they have gotten, I dunno, Kelly Macdonald? Maggie Gyllenhaal?

*And* it's "action-packed"? Eh. Sure, it sounds better than the other Sherlock Homes film but that's not saying much.

Posted by: Sara at September 26, 2008 11:44 AM

RDJ will most likely do Holmes justice if he gets the accent right. I hope the script doesn't stray too far into mainstream pop culture & overshadow the characters. Something tells me the script lacks imagination & has more SFX/CGI.

GR = no comment. JL = could be good if he gets some new facial expressions. RMc= please...the definition of mediocre. Def a downgrade in casting.

Sara @ 11:44....

You may be one of the few people with common sense. Better be careful though, I smell a flock of Racheloonies coming to get you. McAdams is hugely overrated (not to be confused with over-exposed). She gives the impression she's choosy & every director is begging to work with her, yet she's never portrayed a truly rich character.

Look at just some of her 'great' work, & you'll notice (despite the difference in character & hair colour): her deliberate, stagey reaction shots & line delivery, her scenery-chewing with her eyes, & general fake acting. Red Eye was one of the most ridiculous films I've ever seen. Her Mean Girls perf was not that good (head movements & lines were overdone), & she didn't look anything close to a teen. She'll prob butcher Adler as well, but her crazed fans will help at the box office, so...

I agree that Kelly MacDonald would be GREAT...Maggie G is a bit overrated, imo. What about Elaine Cassidy? She's fantastic, but so underrated.

Posted by: CS at September 26, 2008 3:37 PM

if Mark Strong is in this film and doesnt through ONE Archie slap....possibly at SHerlock ( I love me some RDJ and some Holmes but a little man on man slapping, specially when its Strong and Downey is far too Shiptastic to be ignored) then I'm finding Guy and I'm bringing Hell with me.


Has any one noticed how much better his films a) are and b) sound when he's apparently having marriage trouble with the Vagina That Will Swallow The World

Posted by: Nadine at September 26, 2008 4:11 PM

through??

Throw, if he doesn't throw one Archie Slap.

I apologise, my brain is addled tonight, my father is dragging me to see god damn death race in about twenty minutes and its already made me stupider.

I'll be honest, I'm going for the previews before the film, for the possibility Statham will be very quiet and very naked for two hours, and for the tasty delicious Berry Sorbet they sell at the kiosk at the cinema.

That stuff is like Crack to me people.

Posted by: nadine at September 26, 2008 4:17 PM





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