'Sherlock Holmes' spin-off series eyed by HBO Max, RDJ attached
Sherlock Holmes is getting a TV universe! Reports said that HBO Max is currently looking at two television series tied to the favorite sleuth, which will be the spin-offs to the franchise starring Robert Downey Jr (RDJ). RDJ had played Holmes in two movies, Sherlock Holmes (2009) and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011). He is attached to the spin-offs as executive producer.
Why does this story matter?
RDJ's take on Holmes in Sherlock Holmes and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, directed by Guy Ritchie, was lauded by both critics and viewers. Whether he is returning for both the series is not known yet, but a TV series on Holmes, Sherlock, has already been headlined by British actor Benedict Cumberbatch, so we do hope the spin-offs offer something different than that.
Pandemic derailed plans of third Sherlock Holmes film
Meanwhile, a third Sherlock Holmes film has been in the making for more than a decade. Originally slated for a release on December 22, 2021, the film's production and subsequent release were delayed owing to the pandemic. But, the film will at least bring both RDJ and Jude Law (Dr. Watson) back on our screens, whenever it hits the theaters.
What do we know of the third movie?
The third Sherlock Holmes movie was to be helmed by Dexter Fletcher (Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman). About the delay, he had cheekily said, "Sherlock's hit its own issues on and off. That's sort of sitting on the back burner at the moment until it becomes clear where the world is at and what's going to happen." We do hope the Hollywood film starts rolling soon.
Also, RDJ is writing his first non-fiction book
Separately, RDJ has teamed up with bestselling author Thomas Kostigen to co-create a book titled Cool Food: Erasing Your Carbon Footprint One Bite at a Time. According to Deadline, the book will provide a roadmap to making smart food choices and will be a game-changer for climate change. Blackstone Publishing will publish the book. This will mark RDJ's maiden major non-fiction book.
