Robert Downey Jr wants to make a Sherlock Holmes cinematic universe, but what would it look like, and most importantly, would it work? Cinematic universes are now too common in big part thanks to what Marvel Studios has been doing for over 10 years with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which has produced over 20 films since 2008. The first superhero in the MCU was Robert Downey Jr’s Tony Stark/Iron Man, who appeared in seven films (without counting cameos) before making the ultimate sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame.

During his time in the MCU, Robert Downey Jr took part in other projects, most notably Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes movies in 2009 and 2011. Downey Jr played the famous detective, accompanied by Jude Law as Dr. John Watson, and both movies were commercial successes, so fans have been waiting for a third Sherlock Holmes film for years. Sherlock Holmes 3 is currently set for a late 2021 release, with both Downey Jr and Law set to return, though now with Dexter Fletcher as director. Details on Sherlock Holmes’ new adventure on the big screen are a mystery, but Downey Jr has shared some interesting plans regarding this film series.

Related: Why Sherlock Holmes 3 Was Delayed

During a panel at the Fast Company Innovation Festival, Robert Downey Jr. revealed his vision for the Sherlock Holmes franchise, inspired by his experience as Iron Man in the MCU. Downey Jr explained that there’s not a “mystery-verse built out anywhere” and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is “the definitive voice in that arena”, adding that a third Sherlock Holmes movie would be a good opportunity to “spin off into some real gems of diversity and other times and elements”. While the concept of cinematic universes is not exclusive to the superhero genre, and Sherlock Holmes (especially Downey Jr’s version) is a beloved character, could a Sherlock cinematic universe really work?

Sherlock Holmes 3 with Robert Downey Jr. may film this year

A Sherlock Holmes cinematic universe could benefit from mystery movies’ newfound popularity. Although there have always been mystery movies, with hints of other genres like horror and comedy, they are currently going through a great run. Of course, that doesn’t mean they are all great stories, as is the case of Netflix’s Murder Mystery, starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, which broke viewership records yet was panned by critics, and Kenneth Branagh’s Murder on the Orient Express, which even though is based on Agatha Christie’s novel of the same name, was received with mixed reviews. Still, they have all done their part in helping mystery movies rise again, and some have been given the chance of expanding with sequels, as happened with Death on the Nile (the follow-up to Murder on the Orient Express), and Rian Johnson’s Knives Out, which sequel is now in development.

How Sherlock Holmes 3 Can Launch A Cinematic Universe

Sherlock Holmes RDJ Jude Law

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows ended on a massive cliffhanger: Sherlock and Moriarty (Jared Harris), during a physical altercation, fell off a balcony and into the Reichenbach Falls, after which both were presumed dead. However, right at the end of the movie, Sherlock made a surprise appearance in Watson’s office, where he had been hiding thanks to one of his camouflage suits. The story was based on Conan Doyle’s “The Final Problem”, where Sherlock and Moriarty got into a fight at the Reichenbach Falls and fell to their deaths. This was supposed to be Sherlock Holmes’ final adventure, but due to extreme fan pressure, Conan Doyle brought him back years later in “The Adventure of the Empty House”, and gave him a couple more stories before finally retiring in His Last Bow.

Now, even though the Sherlock Holmes movies have already addressed the Reichenbach Falls incident and Sherlock’s fake death, there are still various cases it can adapt or be inspired by, though it can also give the detective new stories, as it has already done. The key for Sherlock Holmes 3 to kickstart a cinematic universe will be in the characters it introduces, as it already got rid of two big and important ones: Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams) and Moriarty, supposing the latter is really dead. Of course, Sherlock Holmes 3 could introduce original characters (as were Lord Blackwood and Madame Simza Heron) that could get their own stories if they are popular enough with the audience. The magic of a cinematic universe is that Sherlock Holmes wouldn’t have to be present in every movie, instead being the link between all of them.

Related: Sherlock Holmes' Original Death Was A Bigger Deal Than People Realize

What Characters & Stories A Sherlock Universe Could Have

Sherlock meets Moriarty in his classroom in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Another point in favor of cinematic universes is that the movies don’t have to follow a chronological order, as recently seen in the MCU with Black Widow and the DCEU with Wonder Woman 1984. With that in mind, the Sherlock Holmes universe could explore the backstories of not only Sherlock (and with him Mycroft as well), but also those of John Watson, Irene Adler (who was painfully underused in both movies), Moriarty, and even his right-hand Sebastian Moran, who Sherlock once described as the “second most dangerous man in London” (following Moriarty, of course).

As for the stories the Sherlock universe could explore, it would depend on the characters that will take part in it, but when it comes to the Great Detective himself, there are cases like “The Adventure of the Dancing Men”, “The Adventure of the Six Napoleons”, and “The Adventure of the Second Stain”, among many others, which take place after his fake death. As mentioned above, the Sherlock universe could also have its own stories, so it wouldn’t be limited to just Conan Doyle’s works.

Could A Sherlock Holmes Cinematic Universe Work

Sherlock Holmes RDJ

What has worked for a genre won’t necessarily work for the rest, so a Sherlock Holmes cinematic universe might not enjoy the success that the MCU has, as inspired by it as it might be. Exploring the stories of other characters related to Sherlock Holmes could help this universe live for a while, as giving the audience a break from the famous detective would prevent them from getting bored of seeing him in every movie, but the trick is in how their stories are approached (and how much they can add and change, as some of Conan Doyle’s works don’t fall into the public domain just yet). The biggest risk of a Sherlock Holmes universe, however, would be falling into the mistake of the BBC’s Sherlock, where after the return of the detective, his cases and methods became very hard to believe, and the quality of the stories decreased.

A Sherlock Holmes universe is not a necessity, but done the right way, it can be an interesting one to explore – and for how long will depend on its characters, stories, and how the audience reacts to it. Sherlock Holmes 3 could either make or break a Sherlock Holmes cinematic universe, and until the movie comes out, the plans for the franchise can change, so at this point, anything is possible.

Next: Sherlock Holmes 2009: Book vs Movie Differences