‘Sherlock Holmes 3’ Back in Development According to Rumors After Years of Delay
Sherlock Holmes 3 is officially back in development, and fans of the franchise have reason to be excited. According to industry insider Daniel RPK, Robert Downey Jr. will return as the famous detective, reprising the role that made him a household name.
‘SHERLOCK HOLMES 3’ is reportedly back in development.
— Cinema Wire 🎥🎞️ (@CinemaWireNews) January 31, 2026
Robert Downey Jr. will reprise his role.
(Source: @DanielRPK) pic.twitter.com/NfTKU7qTnW
The film has had a long and complicated history. Warner Bros. first announced plans for a third installment back in 2011, with Drew Pearce hired to write the script. Over the years, several other writers, including Justin Haythe and James Coyne, were brought in to rework the screenplay. Director changes and multiple delays have also slowed production.
Jude Law, who plays Dr. John Watson, spoke about the project in 2013, saying, “We had a meeting earlier this year, the three of us, and I think it’s being written now. Warner Bros. have still got to agree to pay for it… I think they want to!” He added that scheduling was a challenge, explaining, “It’s a slow process. We’re all busy. So getting us together to try to nail that has taken a little bit longer than we had hoped.”
Susan Downey, a producer and Robert Downey Jr.’s wife, confirmed in 2014 that the film was in development, though there was still no finished script. She said, “There’s an idea, there’s an outline, there is not a script yet. Trust me, the studio would love there to be a script. But our feeling is, we gotta get it right.”
In 2019, Dexter Fletcher replaced Guy Ritchie as director, and the project was approved for a $20.9 million tax incentive in California, with a projected budget of $107.8 million. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused further delays.
Fletcher explained in 2021, “We started going and then Covid hit, and they were like, ‘Look we’re going to stand it down and Robert has got something else he wants to do.’ … These things are so big that you don’t wanna just chisel them into something… I know that Robert will not let that fish off the hook.”
By 2023, Fletcher, Downey, and writer Joe Penhall were reportedly working on the script together at Downey’s home. Susan Downey and Amanda Burrell of Team Downey later confirmed that the movie remains a priority for the company and for Downey himself.
The Sherlock Holmes universe is also set to expand beyond just this film. Robert and Susan Downey have plans to develop a larger franchise, including additional movies and spin-offs, as well as television series for HBO Max.
While they do not intend to copy the Marvel Cinematic Universe, they have acknowledged that their experience working with Marvel taught them a lot about creating a shared world. Two TV series set in this universe are already in development.
It’s exciting to see Sherlock Holmes 3 moving forward after so many years of delays. Fans have waited a long time, and the return of both Downey and Law could make it a memorable continuation of the franchise. What do you think about the future of Sherlock Holmes on the big screen and beyond? Share your thoughts in the comments.