Sherlock Holmes is one of the most iconic characters in pop culture history. He has been brought to life in books, television, movies and beyond. One of the most popular versions of the character were the live-action feature films starring Robert Downey Jr. as the famous detective and Jude Law as his trusty companion, Dr. John Watson.
The series kicked off with 2009's Sherlock Holmes followed by 2011's Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows. Both films were solid hits with audiences and critics, so a third film seemed inevitable. Now, after a long wait, Sherlock Holmes 3 is finally on its way, eyeing a 2021 release. But is a third film really what we need? Here are some reasons Sherlock Holmes 3 is a good idea and some reasons why it's not.
Good Idea: Robert Downey Jr And Jude Law
The relationship between Sherlock Holmes and John Watson has always been one of the most beloved partnerships in all of pop culture. If that relationship is done well, it can speak a lot to the quality of the story. Thankfully, that is one aspect that fans need not worry about for these films.
Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law have proven to be a wonderful pair on-screen. Though Downey Jr. is certainly in the forefront, Law is never overshadowed and brings gravitas to what could be a bland sidekick role. They have amazing chemistry together, feeling like an old married couple, which makes for great comedy.
Bad Idea: Guy Ritchie Not Returning
Though the return of the franchise's two leads allows us to breathe a sigh of relief, one other important aspect of the last two films will be missing in this third adventure. Guy Ritchie, who directed the two previous films will not be returning. Instead, Dexter Fletcher (Rocketman) will be taking over those duties.
Ritchie is not everyone's cup of tea as a filmmaker, but it's hard to deny that he brought a distinct feel to the Sherlock Holmes films. While Fletcher has proven to be a good director, will he try to copy that style or make something that feels completely different?
Good Idea: Mysteries Making A Comeback
Sherlock Holmes has been around for over 100 years and inspired a lot of mystery stories since then. While you might think the kinds of adventures Holmes is a part of would have gone out of style after all these years, we have recently seen that audiences still love a good old-fashioned mystery.
The success of films like Murder on the Orient Express and especially Knives Out proves the classic whodunit-style stories still have great appeal. These kinds of layered mysteries are perfect for Holmes so now might be the ideal time for the character to return.
Bad Idea: Been Too Long
The Sherlock Holmes films were big enough hits at the time to warrant a third film, but fans were expecting it to arrive much quicker than it has. Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows came two years after the original while this third film will be released ten years after its predecessor.
With such a long gap for a franchise that was never one of the most popular, enthusiasm might have dwindled considerably. The new film will have to deliver a truly great follow-up to be deemed worthwhile.
Good Idea: Return Of Robert Downey Jr.
Sherlock Holmes came around as Robert Downey Jr.'s incredible comeback was in full swing. It was also the beginning of his long and iconic journey as the central figure of the MCU. While Downey Jr. is a big reason for the MCU's initial success, he finally stepped away from his role as Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, in Avengers: Endgame.
Fans are already missing Downey Jr. in his most famous role so it would be nice to see him return to a familiar one. Dolittle sounds like it won't be the hit Downey Jr. was hoping for, meaning Sherlock Holmes 3 could be a good film to fall back on.
Bad Idea: Another Franchise
As charming as Downey Jr. is as Sherlock Holmes, we just finished seeing him play the same character for nearly a decade. It would be nice to see this talented actor try something new rather than revisit another character he's already played before.
An actor of his versatility really should be embracing different roles that can show new sides of his talents and remind us of how brilliant he can be outside of Iron Man. Maybe another franchise is not what he needs right now.
Good Idea: Resolve The Cliff-Hanger
Though each of the Sherlock Holmes films have told their own story, they also borrow a lot from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic work. Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows took inspiration from one significant story, "The Final Problem," in which Holmes apparently falls to his death while fighting Moriarty.
The sequel ends in a similar way with Holmes' apparent death, only for it to be revealed at the end that he is indeed alive, unbeknownst to Watson. The ending obviously sets up a continuation of the story and it would be a shame to leave that thread dangling.
Bad Idea: A Worthy End
While the ending of Game of Shadows was certainly hinting at a sequel, they seem to have accidentally made a pretty fitting end to the adventures of Holmes and Watson as well.
Though it is sad that Watson has lost his best friend, he is free to live his own life with his new bride while immortalizing Holmes in his writing. Likewise, the fact that Holmes is still alive and still as clever as ever means that his own adventures can continue, but it might not be necessary for the audience to join him.
Good Idea: Underrated Series
The Sherlock Holmes films never reached anywhere near the heights of the MCU, and was actually a relatively small-scale series compared to the other franchises of the time. This caused the films to be somewhat undervalued even though they are incredibly fun mystery adventures.
The more grounded and somewhat intellectual stories helped to separate these films from the other big movies while still embracing the fun, crowd-pleasing aspects. It is a series that deserves more attention, and a third film might remind people these are worthwhile films.
Bad Idea: Sherlock Fatigue
Though the character has been around for a long time, the release of Sherlock Holmes oddly came at a time when there was a major Holmes resurgence. The first film, the BBC series Sherlock and the CBS show Elementary all came out within a few years of each other.
While each iteration was successful in its own right, the popularity of the character may have contributed to some Sherlock Holmes fatigue. Interest in the two series has faded and yet there are still more Sherlock stories being told. By the time Sherlock Holmes 3 comes around, fans may be sick of the detective.