Guy Ritchie Directing Sherlock Holmes

[edonline]

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=45646

Guy Ritchie Directing Sherlock Holmes
Source: Variety June 4, 2008

Guy Ritchie has come aboard to direct Warner Bros.' Sherlock Holmes for Lionel Wigram and Dan Lin, reports Variety.

Ritchie is also working on a rewrite/polish of Tony Peckham's script, based on Wigram's upcoming comic book "Sherlock Holmes." The studio is eyeing a 2010 release.

The logline remains under wraps, but executives at Warners are aiming to reinvent Holmes and sidekick Dr. John H. Watson. Wigram's noted that the new Holmes would be more adventuresome and take advantage of his skills as a boxer and swordsman.

[LordSimen]

Bad ass. Sounds like fun.

[Grand_Marquis]

Reading Holmes is a badass, exciting, and generally fun experience. But for some reason, historically, watching Holmes is a tedious and generally boring experience. Don't know how that works, but it does.

Unless this is a spiritual sequel to the Great Mouse Detective, I wouldn't expect a miracle.

[APzombie]

I love Holmes. Not too exited to see Ricthie behind the wheel but I am happy to see the bloke still around (Holmes, not Ritchie).

[Benj]

I hope it's not modernized. I don't really like him as a filmmaker, but I could think of many worse.

[JJFlamingo]

Will they get into his cocaine addiction?? :confused:

[Scarfather]

When one's first reaction to a film is shouting "NO!" out loud, no good will come of it.

Fuck Guy Ritchie.

[Le_Big_Mac]

I could go my entire life without seeing another Guy Ritchie movie. Does someone like him even have the attention span or mental capacity to read Sherlock Holmes?

[Cop No. 633]

When one's first reaction to a film is shouting "NO!" out loud, no good will come of it.

Fuck Guy Ritchie.

Hear, hear! He's a one trick pony.

[The Postmaster General]

I have a hard time seeing him not doing this modern. I've faith that Ritchie can shoot another good film, but something like Holmes almost seems too droll for his style. That was the problem with Swept Away --- It wasn't IN YO FACE enough and I think that's more-or-less Ritchie's aptness.

[LordSimen]

I have a hard time seeing him not doing this modern. I've faith that Ritchie can shoot another good film, but something like Holmes almost seems too droll for his style. That was the problem with Swept Away --- It wasn't IN YO FACE enough and I think that's more-or-less Ritchie's aptness.

I agree. I'd really like to see a modern adaptation with Guy Ritchie's usual in your face style, I think it could be something special.

[edonline]

http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2288537,00.html

Sacha Baron Cohen to play Sherlock Holmes

Xan Brooks
Wednesday July 2, 2008

guardian.co.uk

Just as Sherlock Holmes had his Moriarty, so Guy Ritchie has his Sacha Baron Cohen. Barely a month after the announcement that the British director is to shoot an "all action" Holmes adventure tale comes news of a rival project spearheaded by the Borat creator. Columbia Pictures' as yet untitled production will star Baron Cohen as the great detective and Will Ferrell as Dr Watson, his endlessly admiring assistant. Variety reports that the film is being scripted by Tropic Thunder author Etan Cohen and will be co-produced by Judd Apatow.

While Ritchie insists that his version will "take advantage of [Holmes's] skills as a boxer and swordsman", the Columbia project looks set to take a more comedic stance. "Just the idea of Sacha and Will as Sherlock Holmes and Watson made us laugh," studio spokesman Matt Tolmach told Variety. "Sacha and Will are two of the funniest and most talented guys on the planet and having them take on these two iconic characters is frankly hilarious." Baron Cohen and Ferrell first collaborated on the 2006 comedy Talladega Nights.

Created by the Scottish author Arthur Conan Doyle in the 1880s, the enigmatic, mercurial Holmes has long been a favourite character for film-makers. He has been portrayed on screen by an eclectic roll-call of actors that runs the gamut from Charlton Heston and Christopher Lee through to Roger Moore and Peter Lawford. The classic Basil Rathbone pictures updated his adventures from Victorian London to the dark days of world war two, while Barry Levinson's Young Sherlock Holmes re-branded him as a plucky boy investigator. However, history suggests that Conan Doyle's adventures are resistant to a purely comic approach. The 1988 comedy, Without a Clue - starring Michael Caine and Ben Kingsley - died a swift death at the box office.

[The Postmaster General]

This got much more interesting.

Hopefully Holmes doesn't call Watson "fat" though the whole film.

[bigred760]

Two Holmes projects? Swell.

The Ritchie project sounds promising; I'm all for the sword and boxer aspect, but it needs to be a period movie, not a modern flick. Of course, if there are swords, then I doubt it'll be modern.

The Cohen/Ferrell project will be more about the interplay between the two than any other aspect of the Holmes universe.

[Le_Big_Mac]

I have more faith in the Cohen/Ferrell project. That should at least be funny. Guy Ritchie's film will just be an assault of his typical unrestrained and idiotic style, which will be particularly disgraceful with Sherlock Holmes as the backdrop.

[Benj]

I look forward to the comedy version a lot.

[Cosimo]

oh no! lame director

[echo_bravo]

Damn I wanted Mendes to direct this oh well.:(

[dellamorte dellamore]

I'm optimistic about this if the divorce rumors are true , he can finally make the films he wants now without any interference from you know who . His filmography has suffered ever since he hooked up with her . I expect to see that edge back hopefully .

[rilocay]

i wonder if this will be advertised as "the first good movie from Ritchie since his marriage to Madonna".


Well, we can only hope.

[dellamorte dellamore]

:D

[blankpage]

http://www.variety.com/VR1117988699.html

Downey Jr. set for 'Sherlock Holmes'
'Iron Man' actor cast in WB, Guy Ritchie drama
By MICHAEL FLEMING


In what will be his first job since the blockbuster "Iron Man," Robert Downey Jr. is set to star in "Sherlock Holmes," the drama that Guy Ritchie will direct for Warner Bros.

Downey committed to the pic, which begins shooting in October, after Ritchie turned in a polish of the latest version of the script, written by Anthony Peckham.

Joel Silver, Lionel Wigram, Susan Downey and Dan Lin are producing.

Downey emerged as an action star with "Iron Man" and "Sherlock Holmes" also will take advantage of his physical skills as the character displays brawn as well as brains.

The basis for the film is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic tales, but also the comicbook "Sherlock Holmes."

With Downey aboard, the film will go into production before a comedy that just coalesced at Columbia Pictures, with Sacha Baron Cohen playing Holmes, and Will Ferrell playing his crime-fighting partner Dr. Watson.

Columbia is fast tracking its project, which is being written by Etan Cohen ("Tropic Thunder") and produced by Judd Apatow and Jimmy Miller.

Downey next will be seen in "Tropic Thunder," and then stars with Jamie Foxx in the Joe Wright-directed "The Soloist" for DreamWorks. He'll reprise his Tony Stark role in Iron Man 2 for Marvel Studios and Paramount, with Jon Favreau directing.

[Sigur509]

This just made my must-see list. RDJ>Mankind

[edonline]

Guy Ritchie and Robert Downey, Jr? Very interesting...

[Le_Big_Mac]

Tony Stark and Sherlock Holmes! The guy gets around.

[Raimo69]

Robert Downey Jr seems to be in everything now

[Sigur509]

He has been in a lot of films recently: A Scanner Darkly, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Charlie Bartlett, A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, Zodiac, The Singing Detective.

Sadly most people are only now seeing his genius.

[Nazgul]

Downey as Holmes, could be good or bad

[bigred760]

Downey as Holmes, could be good or bad

That about sums up every role and movie, doesn't it?

[Nazgul]

He has been in a lot of films recently: A Scanner Darkly, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Charlie Bartlett, A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, Zodiac, The Singing Detective.

Sadly most people are only now seeing his genius.

You forgot Iron Man

[Zizou]

The casting of Robert Downey Jr is slightly disappointing. Although I think he's a fine actor and an extremely likeable person, I would have preferred an English actor, perhaps Alan Rickman. But not to be, the casting has been set and I wish the film be a success.

[blankpage]

With reference to having an English actor...RDJ in "Chaplin". That is all.

[FireCaptain4]

With reference to having an English actor...RDJ in "Chaplin". That is all.

I wonder how anyone can see RDJ in a bowlers hat and not think Chaplin.

[Zizou]

With reference to having an English actor...RDJ in "Chaplin". That is all.


RDJ's accent, while good for an American, was less than perfect. Chaplin was known for his mannerisms and physical performance, and RDJ's performance in that regard was uncanny. Ideally a Brit would have been cast, but none of the commercial talents would have been as good as RDJ at displaying Chaplin's physical performance. RDJ was the perfect choice for that role.

Sherlock Holmes does require a quintessential, posh, London accent. There are commercial English actors with greater ability for the role. In that respect, its a disappointment to me that an English actor was not cast.

[blankpage]

RDJ's accent, while good for an American, was less than perfect. Chaplin was known for his mannerisms and physical performance, and RDJ's performance in that regard was uncanny. Ideally a Brit would have been cast, but none of the commercial talents would have been as good as RDJ at displaying Chaplin's physical performance. RDJ was the perfect choice for that role.

Sherlock Holmes does require a quintessential, posh, London accent. There are commercial English actors with greater ability for the role. In that respect, its a disappointment to me that an English actor was not cast.

I definitely respect that, and see where you're coming from. I just think RDJ has the range and the talent to pull this performance off. I'm thinking Ritchie wants to show some charisma in Sherlock Holmes, which would lead the reasoning behind the casting of RDJ. Having said that, seeing someone like Alan Rickman, or Ralph Finnes in this role would've been great!

[edonline]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/feb/18/guy-ritchie-sherlock-holmes-reshoot

Warner Bros 'demands Holmes reshoot from Ritchie

'Guy Ritchie told to reshoot five weeks' worth of scenes for his all-action retelling, which stars Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law

Ben Child
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 18 February 2009 13.26 GMT

Guy Ritchie has been ordered to reshoot five weeks' worth of scenes from his forthcoming big-screen adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, the Sun reports.

The tabloid says studio Warner Bros is unhappy with the first cut of the film, lambasting one scene in particular as "ridiculously unrealistic".

Somewhat inevitably, the newspaper places the blame at the feet of Ritchie's ex-wife, Madonna. Apparently the couple's divorce "distracted" the Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels director during the filming of the offending scenes.

Sherlock Holmes stars Robert Downey Jr as the sleuth, with Jude Law as his sidekick, Dr Watson. In keeping with Ritchie's past work, it is said to be an all-action affair which flags up Holmes's skills as a boxer and swordsman.

A rival comedic version, starring Sacha Baron Cohen and Will Ferrell as Holmes and Watson, is hoping to beat Ritchie's version to the cinemas. Ritchie's feature had looked to have the head start, but if the Sun's story is true, Ritchie may now struggle to deliver it in time for its scheduled November release.

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Film/Pix/pictures/2008/12/15/article-1094756-02CC633C000005DC-923_468x4684560.jpg

[Smiert Spionam]

The casting of Robert Downey Jr is slightly disappointing. Although I think he's a fine actor and an extremely likeable person, I would have preferred an English actor, perhaps Alan Rickman. But not to be, the casting has been set and I wish the film be a success.

1. Alan Rickman is far too old as Guy Ritchie wants a much more "kick-ass" Holmes for this film, one who presents a physical threat to match his own legendary intellect.

2. Christian Bale, a Welsh Brit, played Batman. Sometimes, casting choices don't typically fit the mold of the character that they're playing, but often turn out be be perfect for the role. I'd reserve judgment until we get some actual footage of Downey Jr. in action...

[corran horn]

Apparently, that reshoots rumor is false. WB contacted /Film and refuted it. Here's the link:
http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/02/18/sherlock-holmes-reshoots-and-madonna-new-moon-music/

Apparently, someone at The Guardian, one of the UK's more reputable papers, decided to rely on a report by The Sun (one of Britain's most infamous tabloids) for its information. Seriously? Has reporting in the UK degenerated that badly?