Guy Ritchie to direct Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes

By Alexandra Heilbron on July 11, 2008 | 14 Comments

In the midst of the media frenzy created by his wife, Madonna (by visiting a divorce lawyer and hanging out with a certain married baseball player), Guy Ritchie is stirring up his own media scrutiny as he has just been slated to direct a new Sherlock Holmes movie for Warner Bros. Critics from thewalrus.com are calling the choice of director “one of the worst ideas in recent cinematic history.” Ritchie is hoping to reinvent Holmes and his sidekick, Watson, by making both characters more adventurous and playing on Holmes’ boxing and swordsman skills.  The movie is set to star Robert Downey Jr., fresh off the success of Iron Man. Columbia has announced they’re  also planning to produce a Sherlock Holmes version, however, this one will be comedic and will star Sacha Baron Cohen as Holmes, and Will Ferrell as Watson.

1. tammy • July 10, 2008 @ 12:01 PM

   I can’t wait to see both…

2. Tracy • July 11, 2008 @ 8:10 AM

   omg will ferrell? sherlock holmes isn’t supposed to be a comedy…but then again with ferrell in it, i guess it won’t be that either.

3. Max • July 11, 2008 @ 9:14 AM

   COME ON! Give Guy a f**kin’ break. He’s a very talented director who got married to a blood and talent sucker of a woman. I’m routing for you guy. All he needs is one huge hit and everyone will be kissing his feet again. The Walrus is nothing but a bunch of intellecutal windbags that can do nothing but faltulate hurtful comments veiled behind academic creditential. Most that were earned by length in university not by doing actual work.

4. I Approve of Flatulence in the Workplace • July 11, 2008 @ 10:32 AM

   Swept Away was fun.

5. tammy • July 11, 2008 @ 12:25 PM

   Swept Away sucked b*lls…

6. qwerty • July 11, 2008 @ 4:46 PM

   the walrus critics have obviously not seen snatch or lock stock

7. Mark • July 11, 2008 @ 5:01 PM

   It is good to see Robert Downey Jr. getting back on track with his acting career.

8. Let's Fart • July 11, 2008 @ 6:17 PM

   I too loved Swept Away.

9. Glynis Waldron • July 11, 2008 @ 9:24 PM

   I am excited to see Guy’s version of Sherlock Holmes especially if the talented Robert Downey Jr. is the star. After all the upheavals that Guy has been through lately, I applaud his decision to venture forth into a movie that I anticipate will do very well at the box office. Perhaps the public’s fascination with the “Material Girl” will taper off and people will recognize the real talent of that household. I wish Guy Ritchie all the best for the future. And no doubt the “Walrus” critics will eat their words!
   Glynis

10. Captain Marvel • July 12, 2008 @ 9:42 AM

    I remember when that song came out — I couldn’t stop playing it!

11. Nathan Therm • July 13, 2008 @ 1:47 AM

    Miss Ross looked incredible in that video.

12. Patricia • July 13, 2008 @ 2:59 AM

    CAn you spell FLOP! I can’t see Robert Downey Jr as Sherlock or Watson and as for a comedy I can’t see it flying. Sherlock Holmes was a serious detective and to see him portrayed as anything but spells disaster. As for Guy Ritchie directing it as a comedy it will tank, keep it in the spirit it has always been and it could well be a huge success!

13. tammy • July 14, 2008 @ 9:24 AM

    Um Patricia Guy Ritchie isn’t directing the comedy he’s directing with Warner Bros… Columbia House is doing the comedy …

14. Rachael • July 15, 2008 @ 7:57 PM

    Hmm. Well, we’ll see. I love Downey Jr though, I think he’s a good pick.