Sherlock Holmes 3 Sets December 2020 Release Date

Warner Bros. sets Sherlock Holmes 3 for a December 2020 release date. With his days in the Marvel Cinematic Universe potentially winding down, Robert Downey Jr.’s slate of projects continues to be filled. He still has at least one more appearance on the docket in Avengers 4, but after that, he’s going to branch out with Voyage of Doctor Dolittle. But, he isn’t going to completely abandon familiar roles either.

One of the Downey’s post-MCU success hits came by tackling the famed detective Sherlock Holmes. He was paired up with Jude Law as Watson, and Guy Ritchie brought his usual style to the period set mystery thrillers. The first two films were successful draws at the box office, accumulating $1 billion combined, and now its finally time to close out the trilogy.

Warner Bros. has officially locked Sherlock Holmes 3 into its release slate. The sequel will now hit theaters on December 25, 2020, nearly nine years after Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows debuted. Downey is confirmed to be back as the leading man, and Law will also return by his side. Ritchie is not confirmed as of yet though.

Warner Bros. has been trying to get Sherlock Holmes 3 off the ground for years, so its great to see that it finally got some much needed good news. Both of the previous movies released in the Christmas season, and considering how successful they were in that slot, WB returning there seems like a smart move. The winter release could be even more lucrative this time around as recent years have shown just how valuable that lack of major competition can be. That won’t be Sherlock Holmes 3‘s case, however, as Avatar 2 hits theaters the week prior.

The potential absence of Ritchie could dramatically change how Sherlock Holmes 3 looks and feels though. Whether or not he returns could come down to the story the movie looks to tell. After forming a writer’s room with Rogue One‘s Gary Whitta, Guardians of the Galaxy‘s Nicole Perlman, and others, the latest draft was actually penned by Narcos writer Chris Brancato. Considering the last time audiences saw Sherlock he was presumed to be dead, taking the necessary leap forward in time should allow for some creativity to be had. Whether or not that’s enough to bring Ritchie back (if he even wants to return), will be decided later. But for now, at least Holmes and Watson will get one more adventure a few years from now.

Sherlock Holmes 3 will hit theaters December 25, 2020.

Source: Warner Bros.