Maybe it’s the busy schedule for Jude Law, Robert Downey, Jr, and/or Guy Ritchie? Or perhaps, Will Ferrell’s “Holmes & Watson” tarnished the good name of the private detective? Either way, it would appear that Warner Bros. has pushed the release date for the upcoming “Sherlock Holmes 3” a full year.
According to Deadline, WB has decided that December 2020 isn’t a good date for ‘Sherlock 3,’ and has pushed it to Christmas 2021. No reason was given for the delay. Now, your first thought will probably be, “Wait, they’re doing a new ‘Sherlock’ film with RDJ and Law?” Why, yes, faithful reader, they are! The second question is probably, “Why?” And that’s where we have to throw up our hands and say, “Money?”
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You see, the first two ‘Sherlock’ films were great showcases for the buddy cop chemistry of Law and Downey, Jr, as they quipped their way through a period mystery film filled with Ritchie’s signature action beats. These films aren’t the best action films of all time, but they are serviceable and fun. But will anyone care a full decade later?
If the date sticks, December 2021 will be a full decade after the release of the second ‘Sherlock’ film, ‘A Game of Shadows.’ That film, coming only two years after the original, already saw a first-weekend box office decline of almost 50% domestically, but thanks to worldwide grosses, barely beat the original. But again, that was 10 years ago. Do people still care after BBC’s “Sherlock” reinvented the character and Ferrell’s recent comedy parodied the franchise? We shall see.
Another interesting fact to ponder is the date finds “Sherlock 3” in direct competition with Universal’s upcoming “Wicked” film adaptation, Sony’s “Hotel Transylvania 4,” and an unknown Disney live-action film. Oh yeah, and it’s only a week after “Avatar 3,” which could destroy all in its path. As we saw with last year’s Christmas box office showdown, too many films will almost certainly lead to cannibalization. Maybe not the best time to release a three-quel that’s 10 years in the making?
Anyway, a lot can happen between now and December 22, 2021. So, let’s just pencil that into our calendars for now, okay?