After playing NASCAR drivers and two 40-year-old men living at home, what’s the next collaboration for Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly? “Holmes and Watson” it turns out. The two take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic characters, this time with a comedic bent.
“Holmes and Watson” is produced by Judd Apatow and Adam McKay, who have collaborated on a myriad of Ferrell projects. This particular film is written and directed by Etan Cohen (once humorously mistaken by Bill Murray as Ethan Cohen), who’s known for his work on “Tropic Thunder” and “Men in Black 3.” He and Ferrell formerly collaborated on “Get Hard” in 2015.
“Holmes and Watson” take on a classic Conan Doyle-penned tale – the duo must stock Moriarty (Ralph Fiennes) from murdering the Queen (Pam Ferris) in 19 the century England. Hijinks are definitely going to ensue. Rounding out the cast is Rebecca Hall, Kelly Macdonald, Steve Coogan and Hugh Laurie. Ferrell’s comedic efforts have been in the hit and miss terrain recently. He appeared in “The House” and “Daddy’s Home 2” last year, but both films were considered disappointments. Reilly, on the other hand, is coming off strong turns for his role in “The Sister Brothers” as well as “Stan & Ollie.”
The recent trailer offers standard hijinks for the duo with plenty of physical comedy and this vignette trailer clip offers much of the same. Upon meeting a female doctor, Holmes introduces Watson as a “real” doctor, saying women doctors cannot exist. Watson introduces himself accordingly, and asks if anyone wants heroin. It’s ridiculous moments such as these that set apart Ferrell and Reilly from the rest as they really go in there with some gonzo humor.
Slated for a Christmas release, the film isn’t being screened at all for the press which isn’t a good sign, and you won’t see any reviews early then, but maybe “Homes and Watson” will be one of those fun things to watch over the holidays with maybe a few quarts of spiked egg nog in you.
Here’s a few other recently release “Holmes and Watson” clips.