Rachel McAdams Romances Sherlock Holmes
Filed under: Casting, Mystery & Suspense
Usually it's not too hard to imagine what a film will be like. This is not, however, the case with Sherlock Holmes. First, it was a challenge to try and imagine just how Guy Ritchie would handle the material, even with the suggestion of a "slightly stylized 1891." Robert Downey Jr. was an intriguing choice for Mr. Holmes, and now as the bigger casting pieces begin to fall into place, I'm dying to see what Ritchie makes of it. Jude Law IS in as Watson, and The Hollywood Reporter posts that Rachel McAdams has signed on to play Sherlock's love interest, Irene Adler. THR says the character showed up in only one story -- 1891's "A Scandal in Bohemia," but should the film become part of a series, she'll be there for the ride. As Elisabeth pointed out when Mark Strong signed on, Ritchie isn't interested right now in a sequel, but that doesn't mean the studio isn't salivating over the thought. Oh yes, and Strong, who was cast in a few roles through the rumor mill -- he'll play Blackwood, Holmes' main villain. There's some excellent talent in here, and after RocknRolla, I'm dying to see Strong go head to head with Downey Jr.
Dear readers of Cinematical, what say you? Will these four work well together, or are you hoping for a little recasting? And for more of this week's big casting news, check out the gallery below ...
Movie Casting News
Johnny Depp cast in 'Pirates of the Caribbean 4,' 'Alice in Wonderland' & 'Lone Ranger'
Depp will reprise his role as swashbuckling, rum-swilling Captain Jack in a fourth 'Pirates' flick, play the tea-party-loving Mad Hatter in Tim Burton's live-action 'Alice in Wonderland' and play the Lone Ranger's sidekick Tonto in Jerry Bruckheimer's 'Lone Ranger.'
Disney / Getty Images
Rachel McAdams cast in 'Sherlcok Holmes'
The 'Wedding Crashers' beauty will play Irene Adler, enimatic love interest to the eponymous detective (Robert Downey Jr.) in Guy Ritchie's action-oriented take on the legendary sleuth. Jude Law co-stars as Watson.
Getty Images
Will Smith cast in 'I Am Legend' Prequel
Smith returns as Dr. Robert Neville in this prequel chronicling the days leading up to the unleashing of a man-made virus that leaves Neville the lone human survivor in New York City.
Warner Bros.
George Clooney cast in 'Up in the Air'
He's set to star in director Jason Reitman's 'Juno' follow-up 'Up in the Air,' based on the Walter Kirn novel. Clooney will play a corporate downsizer obsessed with collecting 1 million air miles.
Getty Images
Brad Pitt cast in 'Inglorious Bastards'
Pitt will star as Lt. Aldo Raine, the leader of a band of soldiers forced to undertake a suicide mission into Nazi-occupied France, in Quentin Tarantino's WWII spaghetti Western.
Getty Images
Angelina Jolie & Tom Cruise cast in 'Edwin A. Salt' & 'The Tourist,' respectively
Jolie is in talks to replace Cruise as a CIA officer who must prove she isn't a Russian sleeper spy in 'Salt.' Cruise, meanwhile, is eyeing a trio of films: 'Food Fight,' 'The Tourist' and 'Sleeper.'
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Tom Cruise possibly cast in 'Sleeper'
Cruise and 'Spider-Man' director Sam Raimi are teaming to develop an adaptation of the eponymous comic about an operative whose fusion with an alien artifact makes him impervious to pain. Cruise is eyeing the lead, with Raimi producing.
Getty Images
Sacha Baron Cohen & Robert Downey Jr. cast in dueling 'Sherlock Holmes' films
Cohen partners with Will "Watson" Ferrell for a comedy take produced by Judd Apatow. Downey will star in a Holmes drama for director Guy Ritchie.
Getty Images (2)
Guillermo del Toro & Peter Jackson writing 'The Hobbit
In the best news to hit Middle Earth this year, soon-to-be Hobbit helmer del Toro and erstwhile 'Lord of the Rings' director Jackson announced they will pen 'The Hobbit' together. Casting is still TBD.
Getty Images (2)
Jack Black cast in 'School of Rock 2'
Jack Black just wants to 'Rock.' The 'Tropic Thunder' star will reprise his role as substitue teacher/rock star wannabe Dewey Finn in a sequel to the hit 2003 comedy.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-26-2008 @ 7:15PM
whiplash said...
I only like Downey Jr. the rest not really impress.I never saw the talent in McAdams and quit frankly she is looking bad lately.
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9-27-2008 @ 6:43AM
dee said...
Jude Law = One Sexy Watson I'm excited about the cast !
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9-26-2008 @ 11:26PM
Kaitlin said...
Jude Law is ... not what I picture when I think of Watson, but it's an interesting choice.
(he's already done some work in the Sherlock Holmes world - he appears in an episode of the Jeremy Brett TV series ... in drag)
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9-27-2008 @ 2:19PM
Heather said...
Figures. Modern Hollywood gets their hands on the only story where Sherlock Holmes' love interest is in and my gut tells me that the extraordinary Guy Ritchie will turn it into a mindless sex romp when it should be a made into a good film. Guy Ritchie? Sherlock Holmes? Please.
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9-27-2008 @ 5:39PM
Mike said...
When Guy Ritchie proves he can direct his way out of a paper bag, I'll be more impressed.
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9-27-2008 @ 4:46PM
Mike said...
When Guy Ritchie proves he can direct his way out of a paper bag, I'll be more impressed.
Reply
9-27-2008 @ 8:45PM
sheryl said...
I'm looking forward to seeing all these actors work together in this (well, no so familiar with Mark Strong...but the rest I think are very good choices). I hope it's a good script.
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9-28-2008 @ 11:29PM
andrea plunket said...
As administrator of the Arthur Conan Doyle Literary Estate, I am ecstatic about this new Sherlock Holmes movie.And I mean from the producer Lionel Wigram down and sideways. The casting is absolutely brilliant and inovative. Sherlock and Watson will take on a new life.
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9-29-2008 @ 9:43AM
Herff said...
I actually think this cast could work out really well. RDJ needs to get the accent down though, or I'm not going for it. I hate it when actors grab the main role in a film where everyone has an accent except them, aka Gere in First Knight, Costner in Robinhood, etc.
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