Will There Ever Be 'Sherlock Holmes 3'? Everything You Need to Know About the Movie

Sherlock Holmes 3 is the movie that is stuck in production hell. The first film, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, was released in 2009 and grossed over $524 million worldwide.

The second movie, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, was released in 2011 and grossed $544 million, further cementing the success of the franchise. A sequel seemed inevitable, however, more than a decade has passed, and there's still no sign of a third film.

Here's everything we know about Sherlock Holmes 3 and its production.

Is There a Release Date for 'Sherlock Holmes 3'?

Currently, there is no official release date for Sherlock Holmes 3. Throughout its development, Warner Bros. has tried several times to set a release date for the project.

However, the release date was repeatedly postponed. However, the project was ultimately removed from the studio's release calendar. While the pandemic has caused some adjustments, the main problems began long before.

What Will 'Sherlock Holmes 3' Be About?

Details about the plot of Sherlock Holmes 3 are being kept under wraps. All that's known is that the action takes place about ten years after the events of A Game of Shadows.

According to one theory, Holmes and Watson will travel to America, though this hasn't been confirmed yet.

Guy Ritchie directed the first two movies, transforming Sherlock from a purely introspective genius into an extremely active man. Ritchie's Holmes possesses a brilliant command of deduction and knows how to fight and engage in dangerous adventures.

What to expect from the third movie remains a mystery. However, it's clear that a sequel would hardly have happened without the duo of Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, and both actors have repeatedly stated that they would like to return to their roles.

What's the Hold-up With 'Sherlock Holmes 3' & What's the Current Status of the Movie?

There are several reasons for the delay, all of which have been accumulating for years. The first problem is the script. The studio has already worked with dozens of screenwriters.

Writers of Iron Man 3, Bohemian Rhapsody, Hannibal, and Mindhunter, as well as an entire team of writers, have worked on the script. However, not a single version satisfied the producers and actors.

The second challenge was Robert Downey Jr.'s busy schedule – the actor was tied up with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, playing Iron Man.

The third and perhaps most painful blow was Guy Ritchie's departure. The official reason is unknown, but fans believe the director had creative differences with Downey Jr.

Ritchie essentially confirmed this in an interview with Collider:

“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.”

In July 2019, Dexter Fletcher, the director of Rocketman, was chosen to replace Ritchie. Specific dates were set: filming was scheduled to begin in California in 2020 with an estimated budget of $107 million.

However, the pandemic scuttled those plans. In 2021, Fletcher confirmed that the project had been postponed indefinitely. In 2023, news surfaced that Fletcher was still working on the movie with Downey Jr. and screenwriter Joe Penhall.

However, there have been no official announcements. Whether Sherlock Holmes 3 will ever escape development hell remains an unanswered question.