After more than a decade of delays, false starts, and fan frustration, the third installment of the blockbuster Sherlock Holmes franchise is finally moving forward. According to reliable industry insider DanielRPK, Sherlock Holmes 3—starring Robert Downey Jr. as the brilliant, bohemian detective—is officially back in active development at Warner Bros. The news has sent shockwaves through the fandom, reigniting hope that the beloved series will get the proper send-off it has long deserved.

The original Sherlock Holmes (2009), directed by Guy Ritchie, was a critical and commercial triumph. It reimagined Arthur Conan Doyle’s Victorian sleuth as a bare-knuckle brawler with a razor-sharp mind, blending period authenticity with modern action flair. Downey Jr.’s charismatic, eccentric take on Holmes—paired with Jude Law’s warm, grounded Watson—earned the film a worldwide gross of $524 million against a $90 million budget. The sequel, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011), pushed the formula further with a globe-trotting plot, stunning set pieces, and a villainous turn from Jared Harris as Professor Moriarty. It earned even more—$544 million globally—and cemented the duo as one of cinema’s most beloved partnerships.

But then the momentum stalled. A third film was announced as early as 2011, with Downey Jr., Law, and Ritchie all expressing enthusiasm. Plans came and went: scripts were written, directors were attached and replaced (including Dexter Fletcher and Harry Bradbeer), and release dates were repeatedly pushed back. At various points, the project was rumored to be dead, shelved, or quietly abandoned. Downey Jr. himself moved on to other franchises—most notably Marvel’s Iron Man and the MCU—while Law focused on prestige television and theater.

The long hiatus only fueled fan demand. Online petitions, Reddit threads, and convention Q&As kept the hope alive. Downey Jr. never fully closed the door, often teasing fans with cryptic comments like “Sherlock is always in my mind” or “We’re not done with him yet.” In 2023, he told interviewers he would “love” to return if the story felt right. That sentiment, combined with the recent resurgence of period detective stories and the commercial success of other legacy sequels (Top Gun: Maverick, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny), appears to have finally convinced Warner Bros. to greenlight the project.

DanielRPK’s report—widely regarded as credible within Hollywood circles—states that the studio has re-engaged key creatives and is actively working on a new script. While Ritchie is not confirmed to return behind the camera (he has been busy with The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare and other projects), the core cast remains the biggest draw. Downey Jr. is said to be enthusiastic about reprising Holmes, and early discussions have included bringing back Law as Watson. The pair’s chemistry was the beating heart of the first two films; their reunion would be a major selling point.

Plot details are scarce, but the new film is expected to be a direct sequel rather than a reboot or prequel. Previous scripts floated ideas involving Moriarty’s lingering influence, a global conspiracy, or a case that forces Holmes and Watson to confront their own aging and obsolescence. Given the 15-year gap since A Game of Shadows, the story could naturally explore how Holmes and Watson have changed—perhaps with Holmes in semi-retirement, Watson married and settled, and a new threat pulling them back into the game. Fans speculate that the script may also address the events of the original Conan Doyle canon, including Holmes’s apparent death at Reichenbach Falls and his eventual return.

The timing couldn’t be better. The current landscape is hungry for smart, stylish action-adventure films that appeal to both legacy fans and new audiences. Downey Jr.’s post-MCU career has seen him lean into prestige roles (Oppenheimer, The Sympathizer), earning critical acclaim and proving he can still carry a blockbuster. A return to Holmes would be a homecoming of sorts—reclaiming a character that helped define his stardom before Iron Man.

Warner Bros. has every incentive to make Sherlock Holmes 3 a priority. The franchise remains one of the studio’s most successful live-action properties, and a well-received third film could open the door to spinoffs, prequels, or even a shared universe (the Enola Holmes films have already proven the brand’s versatility). With Downey Jr. and Law both in their late 50s and early 60s, this may genuinely be the last chance to reunite them in the roles that made them household names.

Fan reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. Social media erupted with excitement the moment DanielRPK’s report surfaced. Hashtags like #SherlockHolmes3 and #BringBackRDJWatson trended within hours. Many longtime fans expressed relief that the project is finally moving forward after years of “development hell.” Others joked about how long they’ve waited: “I’ve been in a coma since 2011—wake me when the trailer drops.”

Of course, Hollywood history is littered with projects that stalled at this stage. Script rewrites, scheduling conflicts, and studio priorities can still derail even the most promising revival. But the combination of Downey Jr.’s enthusiasm, the enduring popularity of the first two films, and the current appetite for legacy sequels gives Sherlock Holmes 3 a stronger pulse than it has had in years.

For now, the news is simple and exhilarating: Sherlock Holmes is coming back. The game is afoot—again.

And this time, the world is ready to welcome the great detective home.