First Look at Robert Downey Jr. as 'Sherlock Holmes'!
Filed under: Action, Classics, Mystery & Suspense, Warner Brothers, Newsstand, Remakes and Sequels, Images
With Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes kicking off in London this week, it wasn't going to be long before we got a glimpse of Robert Downey Jr. in Victorian costume. And a bunch have popped up on JustJared, accompanied by some bedraggled extras.
But did we expect him to look like this? Most people see Holmes in securely buttoned down tweed, complete with deerstalker cap and pipe. But that image was invented by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's illustrator, Sidney Paget. His description on the page was a bit different: "His very person and appearance were such as to strike the most casual observer. In height he was rather over six feet,and so excessively lean that he seemed to be considerably taller. His eyes were sharp and piercing, save during those intervals of torpor to which I have alluded; and his thin, hawk-like nose gave his whole expression an air of alertness and decision. His chin, too, had the prominence and squareness which mark the man of determination. His hands were invariable blotted with ink and stained with chemicals, yet he was possessed of extraordinary delicacy of touch, as I frequently had occasion to observe when I watched him manipulating the fragile philosophical instruments." He was also frequently described as "Bohemian" and would slip into a lethargic lifestyle between cases.
So there you go -- lethargic, with a carelessness hand hygeine. Ritchie will probably get flak for "reimagining" the character, but Holmes was never a put together fellow. How many cocaine and morphine addicts do you know who are, anyway? (Yeah, I know that's been cut from this PG version, but I wouldn't be surprised if it pops up in the way they're tackling the character in production.)
But did we expect him to look like this? Most people see Holmes in securely buttoned down tweed, complete with deerstalker cap and pipe. But that image was invented by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's illustrator, Sidney Paget. His description on the page was a bit different: "His very person and appearance were such as to strike the most casual observer. In height he was rather over six feet,and so excessively lean that he seemed to be considerably taller. His eyes were sharp and piercing, save during those intervals of torpor to which I have alluded; and his thin, hawk-like nose gave his whole expression an air of alertness and decision. His chin, too, had the prominence and squareness which mark the man of determination. His hands were invariable blotted with ink and stained with chemicals, yet he was possessed of extraordinary delicacy of touch, as I frequently had occasion to observe when I watched him manipulating the fragile philosophical instruments." He was also frequently described as "Bohemian" and would slip into a lethargic lifestyle between cases.
So there you go -- lethargic, with a carelessness hand hygeine. Ritchie will probably get flak for "reimagining" the character, but Holmes was never a put together fellow. How many cocaine and morphine addicts do you know who are, anyway? (Yeah, I know that's been cut from this PG version, but I wouldn't be surprised if it pops up in the way they're tackling the character in production.)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-11-2008 @ 10:27PM
kyle s said...
He looks just like hugh jackman. haha
Reply
10-11-2008 @ 10:28PM
Smiggy said...
I thought we established this is how he normally dresses...
Besides, unless this is massively revisionist, which it could very well be, Holmes was always a very well dressed fellow.
Reply
10-11-2008 @ 11:19PM
Peterzee said...
Let's not forget that Holmes had a knack for disguise that he used in a number of stories. The clothing, right down to the hat, smacks of Victorian lower-class. So it's probably Holmes working 'undercover' at some point in the movie.
Reply
10-12-2008 @ 12:47AM
Mr. R said...
Elementary Mr. Peterzee! Great observation.
10-12-2008 @ 4:44PM
jgodsey said...
you DO realize that is Holmes in Disguise right?
he did that a great deal, he even used to tail Watson in costume and in drag, just for kicks..go rigure.
Reply
10-14-2008 @ 12:51PM
Tom said...
Looks like something an early Dr Who would wear.
Reply
11-18-2008 @ 3:49AM
Robbie said...
Thank you! Cinematical.com for all 500 pictures of Robert
Downey Jr throughout the year 2008 and the up to date
Sherlock Holmes pictures in London. A Treat no doubt.
I've learned not to judge how Robert looks when in costume
or preparing for a role, nine times out of ten I'm wrong when
I "see" something..and so I will not underestimate Director
Guy Ritchie and Robert, I do know one thing, Robert reported
in an interview how he loves this role because his not
required to "dress up". There are some great pics here
of Robert on set regardless of the hat..wait and see.
Reply