What Sherlock Holmes 3 Could Mean for the Future of Robert Downey Jr.’s Franchise

Hold onto your deerstalker hats, because the game is afoot once again! It feels like an eternity since we last saw Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law light up the screen with their electric chemistry as Holmes and Watson. After Downey Jr. helped kickstart the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, he jumped straight into thinking about making another one: Sherlock Holmes 3. The two films, directed by Guy Ritchie, were a whirlwind of action, wit, and Victorian grit that audiences absolutely devoured.

For what seems like forever, whispers and rumors about a Sherlock Holmes 3 have been swirling in the shadows. It’s been over a decade since A Game of Shadows left us on a cliffhanger, and frankly, the silence has been deafening. But just when you thought all hope was lost, a clue has emerged from the one and only Susan Downey, a producer for the franchise and wife of its star. And it’s a big one. The potential direction for Sherlock Holmes 3 is so unexpected, it could completely change everything we know about this world.

A New World for Sherlock Holmes?

So, what’s the big secret? It turns out the team has been kicking around a truly shocking idea: setting Sherlock Holmes 3 in America. That’s right, forget the foggy, cobblestone streets of London. Imagine Holmes and Watson navigating the wild, untamed landscape of late 19th-century America. It’s a massive departure from the franchise’s established setting. The first two films were steeped in the atmosphere of Victorian England, bringing the era to life with stunning detail. Sending the duo across the pond would be a bold, almost audacious move.

This isn’t just a minor tweak; it’s a fundamental shift that could breathe new life into a series that’s been dormant for years. After such a long break, the filmmakers need to make a huge splash to get audiences excited again. Simply returning to London for another round of mystery-solving could feel like playing the same old tune. A change of continent, however? That feels like an event. It screams “fresh” and “new,” and it’s a surefire way to signal that Sherlock Holmes 3 will be anything but predictable.

The Challenges of an American Adventure

Taking Sherlock Holmes out of London presents a fascinating creative opportunity. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original stories rarely, if ever, ventured to the United States. This gives the filmmakers a nearly blank canvas to create a story that hasn’t been extensively explored on the big screen. We could see a classic “fish out of water” scenario, with the brilliant but eccentric Holmes and the ever-dapper Watson completely out of their element, clashing with a new culture and society. The potential for comedy and character development is immense.

Of course, the biggest challenge is making it feel right. You can’t just drop these iconic characters into a new setting for the sake of it. There needs to be a compelling, organic reason for them to travel all the way to America. Is there a new criminal mastermind so brilliant that only Sherlock Holmes can stop them? Or has Holmes, ever the thrill-seeker, grown bored with the criminal underworld of England and decided to seek a new challenge in the New World? Whatever the reason, it has to be good. The bar is incredibly high, and a film like Sherlock Holmes 3 needs a story that justifies its existence after all this time.

When Can We Expect Sherlock Holmes 3?

So, while the idea of an American-set Sherlock Holmes 3 is incredibly exciting, the question remains: when will we actually see it? Robert Downey Jr.’s schedule is notoriously packed, especially with his return to the MCU. It might still be a few years before he can don the iconic hat and coat again. But the fact that these creative conversations are happening is a fantastic sign. It shows that the passion for the project is still there. Hopefully, this extra time will allow the creative team to craft the perfect mystery for the world’s greatest detective, whether it’s in London, America, or somewhere else entirely. The game, it seems, is far from over.