Last week we heard that Sasha Baron Cohen had landed the role of Sherlock Holmes in a comedy alongside Will Ferrell. Now Variety say that Robert Downey Jr. has just been cast as Sherlock Holmes, in a drama which will be directed by Guy Ritchie. We don’t see Sherlock Holmes on screen for years and then two come at once!

The film will begin filming in October and it seems Columbia Pictures are trying to get it out before Cohen and Ferrell’s version, which is a smart move.

Variety say:

Downey emerged as an action star with “Iron Man” and “Sherlock Holmes” also will take advantage of his physical skills as the character displays brawn as well as brains.

While Downey Jr. is busy with other films, he will still return for Iron Man 2 which will be directed by Iron Man director Jon Favreau.