You know how ready the world is for a Sherlock Holmes movie from Guy Richie, Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law and Rachel McAdams? They’re already gearing up for a sequel, that’s how ready.

The movie doesn’t come out until Christmas this year, but already Warner Bros has brought on some writers to start scripting the sequel, according to Risky Business:

The studio is poised to bring on Kieran and Michele Mulroney, the scribes who are penning its “Justice League: Mortal” tentpole, to pen a draft of the new tale. Brad Pitt has had discussions with producers to star as Holmes’ nemesis Moriarty in the new pic, say people familiar with the project, though there is no deal in place for him to take the part.

Susan Downey, Dan Lin, Joel Silver and Lionel Wigram produced “Holmes,” a holiday release that, from well-received footage at Comic-Con, appears to be an action-heavy rendition of the world Sir Arthur Conan Doyle created.

Guy Ritchie helms the pic, and Downey stars as the title character; Jude Law plays protege Watson, and Rachel McAdams stars as love interest Irene Adler. Much of the talent is expected to return in the new pic, as could Ritchie as director.

The kicker in this news is the rumors that Brad Pitt has already flown to London to shoot a few scenes as Moriarty for the first Sherlock. Counter-acting those rumors are statements from people who have seen part of the movie, or claim to be in the know, saying that Moriarty only appears in the first film as a shadow and you can’t tell who the actor is.

Prediction? Speculation? How about this: if they are writing film 2 now and can turn out a script before early December, couldn’t Warners lock Pitt for the sequel then cut in a shot of his face?

That’s what I do if I were a studio.

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