On Collider's set visit for Guy Ritchie's upcoming film Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows, a list of 20 things to know about the sequel to the 2009 Holmes was put together. Among the parts that stand out include the film's relationship to its predecessor. Game Of Shadows takes place six months after the first film and will have a more ominous tone, and you won't have to see the original to understand the sequel. Also, the following confirms that composer Hans Zimmer (who composed Ritchie's first outing) will come back for the film, and that ideas for a third film have been discussed (Iron Man 3 scribe Drew Pearce was recently hired to pen the third installment). Also including info on Jared Harris and Noomi Rapace's characters, as well as whether or not they considered filming in 3D, check out the full list below...
The story starts about six months after the events of the first film.
The whole story of Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is a plot that Moriarty has set in motion long before the story starts, so the film is Holmes arriving at the end stages of that plan and trying to stop it.
The film follows Holmes as he’s on the scent of Moriarty, trying to figure out what he’s up to, but there are smaller mysteries along the way that add up to a larger thing that’s happening.
They discussed the possibility of making the film 3D, but ultimately decided from a practical standpoint and a creative standpoint that it wasn’t the right fit.
In the spirit of improvising, the core collaborative team of Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Guy Ritchie, and the producers gathered together every morning to work on the scene for the day. Even if it was a good scene that they were happy with, they were always trying to think of ways to make it better.
On the first film, they had come up with a lot of ideas that couldn’t fit into the movie, but they were able to use some of those ideas when it came time to make the sequel.
Ritchie’s goal this time was to improve the action, the relationship between Holmes and Watson, and the significance of the plot.
The tone is slightly broader and more ominous than the first film. Moriarty and his plans are darker than the first film. The relationship between Holmes and Watson is still a bromance.
Producer Lionel Wigram always had an idea for the first three movies in the franchise, a general direction for them, and he says they’ve sort of followed that on the second film.
Noomi Rapace’s character wasn’t fully fleshed out when she was cast, so the actress brought a lot to building the character.
Rapace’s character isn’t a hard-hitting fighter, but she’s a scrappy, street-fighter. They wanted to make it credible and realistic, so her approach to fighting is more about survival than dominating her opponent.
You don’t need to have seen the first film to understand Game of Shadows.
The film moves the characters out of England and takes them to Paris, Germany, and the Swiss Alps.
Jared Harris landed the part of Moriarty at the very last minute. Shooting began a week or 10 days after he found out the part was his.
They talked about a lot of different possibilities to play Moriarty, and
ultimately wanted someone who would stand out as the character and not be overshadowed by the star power of the actor.
Harris and Ritchie talked about the character of Moriarty and decided they didn’t want him to be the typical bad guy who gives a big speech toward the end of the movie laying out his plans, giving the good guy enough time to fix things. So with Moriarty, he never lays out what he’s trying to do and remains a mystery throughout the course of the film.
Harris says Moriarty is so manipulative that he doesn’t need to commit violence himself or kill people; he can get everyone to do what he needs to do.
Noomi Rapace’s character becomes a kind of partner to Holmes and Watson. She’s emotionally involved in what the two are trying to work out, and they have a common goal.
Hans Zimmer is back as composer.
They’ve discussed ideas for a third film, and if they’re lucky enough to make one, they’ll probably do it. But they don’t have specific plans.
To check out Collider's interviews with the main cast on the set of
Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows, click the link below.
Starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Jared Harris and Noomi Rapace,
Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows hits theaters December 16th.
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