Robert Downey Jr. still wants to make Sherlock Holmes 3 happen

robert downey jr jude law sherlock holmes — (Image credit: WARNER BROTHERS)

Sherlock Holmes 3 is still on the way, says Susan Downey.

“Well, here’s what I can tell you. And Amanda [Burrell] can attest to this. Prior to this, we had lunch together with Robert, the three of us. And it was a very specific topic of conversation,” Downey said on the UnWrapped podcast. "So yes, it is in the hopper. We’re going to do it when it’s right, with the right people, but it is a priority for the company and a priority for Robert.”

The first film, which starred Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes and Jude Law as Dr. John Watson, premiered back in 2009 and made over $524 million at the global box office. The sequel, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, was released in 2011 to mixed reviews but still managed to gross another $543 million. A third film was quickly announced, but it's been a decade and some change since.

Added Downey: "I do know, like, there are times where just I’ve had more years of experience to know when to settle down and follow the process. Like, as much as we want to will that into existence, you have to let a couple of things happen before you do the big push, and maybe it gets there on its own."

Both films were directed by Guy Ritchie and starred Rachel McAdams as Irene Adler, one of the most notable female characters in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original Sherlock Holmes books.

Lauren Milici is a Senior Entertainment Writer for GamesRadar+ based in New York City. She previously reported on breaking news for The Independent's Indy100 and created TV and film listicles for Ranker. Her work has been published in Fandom, Nerdist, Paste Magazine, Vulture, PopSugar, Fangoria, and more.