Brad Pitt to Trouble Holmes?

Brad Pitt to Trouble Holmes?

With the new Sherlock Holmes movie doing relatively well at the box office, and with superstars like Robert Down Jr. and Jude Law at the helm, it’s no surprise there’s already talk of a sequel. But will we be seeing Brad Pitt join the team?

By JoshSHill - Dec 31, 2009 08:12 PM EST
Filed Under: Action
Source: Pop Eater

Whenever you hear the term “industry source” as a reference for breaking news, go grab a grain of salt. It’s always flimsy and I want to make it clear from the top.

However Rob Shuter over at Pop Eater is claiming that an industry source has told him that Guy Ritchie, the director of "Sherlock Holmes," “loves Brad.” He goes on to say that "he has worked with him before and thinks he is one of the most underrated actors working today. Guy knows that everyone thinks of Pitt as a pretty boy and can't wait to turn him into the world's greatest super villain. It will definitely make the sequel a must-see."

Who is Pitt going to be playing? None other than Holmes’ archenemy, Professor James Moriarty. Wikipedia describes him as being “widely considered to be the first true example of a super villain,” despite appearing in only one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Holmes stories.

Ritchie and Pitt have worked together before. So it wouldn’t be a stretch for communication to open up between the pair. And let’s face it, Brad Pitt has some serious acting chops and in this new re-imagining of the Sherlock Holmes mythos would make a killer Moriarty.

Sherlock Holmes has so far grossed $93.5 million at the US box office and is registering a 7.8 out of 10 at IMDB, which isn’t bad considering the amount of votes (11,240 at time of writing) and the fickleness of the internet crowd.

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fightingfoo93
fightingfoo93 - 12/31/2009, 9:03 PM
I'm not a huge fan of Brad but he is acting his way into my heart.
InSpace
InSpace - 12/31/2009, 9:24 PM
WTF?

They already casted Moriarty.

If they recast him this is some BS
Weeton
Weeton - 12/31/2009, 9:28 PM
um...no please?
InTylerWeTrust
InTylerWeTrust - 12/31/2009, 9:36 PM
Pitt is an excellent actor, I would love to see him in a sequel.
Ryden
Ryden - 12/31/2009, 9:40 PM
I think this would be great. Pitt would make an excellent Moriarty and to see him square off against RDJ's Holmes would be amazing. Sherlock Holmes was great it really deserves a sequel...it definitley sets itself up for one.
thwhtGuardian
thwhtGuardian - 12/31/2009, 10:28 PM
an actor whose face we never see is hardly cast as a character.

And just out of curiosity what didn't you like about it Oz?
chumpchampion
chumpchampion - 12/31/2009, 10:34 PM
Although Pitt's a great actor and solid option, imagine if RDJ's arch-nemesis were portrayed by someone as slick, charming and as offbeat as himself. Someone like say, a Johnny Depp who would be more than able to match Downey's Holmes step for step. And even be ahead a few I presume.

Depp's Moriarty vs. Downey's Holmes in a smart stylized thriller would be a pretty epic battle in my humble opinion.
InTylerWeTrust
InTylerWeTrust - 12/31/2009, 10:40 PM
I still have yet to see Holmes, but I plan on seeing it soon. Despite that, I can't help but get giddy at the thought of Pitt being the bad guy again. He was technically the bad guy in Fight Club (albeit a likeable one) and you all know how I feel about that film, so, I say bring Pitt in :)
thwhtGuardian
thwhtGuardian - 12/31/2009, 10:49 PM
Moriarty is more or less Holmes polar opposite though, so someone who contrasts RDJ physically seems to be the way to go. Pitt's roles in Fight Club and Interview with a Vampire are what makes me think he's perfect for the role, he's suave, charming, sophisticated and likable, everything Holmes isn't.
thwhtGuardian
thwhtGuardian - 12/31/2009, 11:59 PM
To each his own I suppose.
bleedthefreak
bleedthefreak - 1/1/2010, 12:02 AM
@InTylerWeTrust82 you like pitt... no you're [frick]ing with me aren't you :)
InTylerWeTrust
InTylerWeTrust - 1/1/2010, 12:17 AM
Bleed: Nah man, Pitt's the tits ;)

Sorry about that pun, couldn't help myself...
bleedthefreak
bleedthefreak - 1/1/2010, 1:26 AM
@InTylerWeTrust82 at least it rymed
Nightwing09
Nightwing09 - 1/1/2010, 1:45 AM
Pitt....NO
TheGambitFreak
TheGambitFreak - 1/1/2010, 2:41 AM
well at least pitt's from oklahoma!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DDD
DDD - 1/1/2010, 2:45 AM
That's not a pun Tyler@ that's a poem this is a pun...
I think Brad would be great to "PITT" against RDJ's
Holmes as Moriarty! (Tyler@ I know yours is a pun!) lol

And I'm very sorry to all for my groaner!!!!
AlexDeLarge87
AlexDeLarge87 - 1/1/2010, 6:31 AM
Brad Pitt for Moriarty is a good pick, but Johnny Depp would be even better choice.
GUNSMITH
GUNSMITH - 1/1/2010, 8:47 AM
YES DEPP WOULD BE A GOOD ONE..
InFamouslyCool
InFamouslyCool - 1/1/2010, 8:57 AM
Brad Pitt is an "excellent actor"?!? ahahahahaha.. that's a first. I wouldn't mind seeing him in the role, they'll gross more money.
Ranger14
Ranger14 - 1/1/2010, 10:54 AM
I am lukewarm on the idea. As mentioned, it would make the movie a bigger money maker and draw. Pitt is overrated as far as I am concerned. The reason he is so big is mainly because of his chick appeal. I think his wife is overrated as well, but that probably won't win me many points with others. She just doesn't do much for me. We all have our opinions and in that case mine might not be very popular. :-)
CRITIC17
CRITIC17 - 1/1/2010, 11:54 AM
Pitt would be a fu*king AWESOME villain!!!!!!!!
DasBoot
DasBoot - 1/1/2010, 2:47 PM
Why would they recast the part? Ed Tolputt was in the 1st. I guess it was a good way to save $ by not having Pitt in the 1st considering you never saw the guys face...
CRITIC17
CRITIC17 - 1/1/2010, 3:04 PM
@InFamouslyCool: He is. Fight Club, Inglourious Basterds, Burn After Reading, Troy, the Ocean's Trilogy, and Benjamin Button. All movies in which he played " EXCELLENT " roles.
Rokrad
Rokrad - 1/1/2010, 4:25 PM
What about Inglorious Basterds?

"Sooooooound Good!?!"
chumpchampion
chumpchampion - 1/1/2010, 4:57 PM
Another reason I think Depp would be a nice fit as Moriarty:

"Moriarty is something of a Mafia Godfather; he protects nearly all of the criminals of England in exchange for their obedience and a share in their profits. Holmes, by his own account, was originally led to Moriarty by the suggestion that many of the crimes he perceived were not the spontaneous work of random criminals, but the machinations of a vast and subtle criminal ring."
(via wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professor_Moriarty)

I picture Depp as more of a cerebral "mastermind" type over Pitt's brawny physicality.



But upon reading this lil tidbit maybe Hugo Weaving, who knows a thing or two about villainy, would be a good choice as well:

"A point of interest is that the "high, domed forehead" was seen as the sign of a prodigious intellect during Conan Doyle's time. In giving Moriarty this trait, which had already appeared in both Sherlock Holmes and the detective's brother Mycroft, Doyle may have intended to portray Moriarty as a man having an intellect equal or greater than that of Holmes, and thus the only man capable of defeating him."
thegamedrex
thegamedrex - 1/1/2010, 8:43 PM
pitt is a great actor, so i do not see why you guys would not like to see him in a film with rdj. good choice i say.
chumpchampion
chumpchampion - 1/1/2010, 10:41 PM
I totally agree, Pitt is great. I just think Depp is a more suitable choice for Moriarty for the reasons I stated above.
Ryden
Ryden - 1/1/2010, 11:47 PM
@chumpchampion- Appearence wise Pitt is more fit for the role than Depp since Moriarity always had a fair build to him. . .he also kind of looks fragile and an old man and after seeing Pitt in Benjiman Button he can pull that off NO problem. Weaving would be good too and Depp aswell but I'd rather save Depp for another character.

Actually Depp would have made an interesting Holmes....

Not dissing RDJ or anything the man is my [frick]in man crush!! ;D
CRITIC17
CRITIC17 - 1/2/2010, 1:38 AM
@Ryden: Depp would have been a bad-ass Holmes all right!!!
SuperPowered
SuperPowered - 1/2/2010, 6:06 AM
The movie was very good and can't wait for the second one.
InFamouslyCool
InFamouslyCool - 1/2/2010, 9:26 AM
TheCritic17, "excellent roles" or.. excellent performances? ..LOL ~each his own~ good, not "great".
SoItGoes
SoItGoes - 1/2/2010, 4:16 PM
@brazilianbatman. i completly agree with you, i made that my fan pic thing hours ago.

I would want to see Pit as Moriarty.
LeonardShelby
LeonardShelby - 1/3/2010, 12:57 AM
I am not a big fan of having arguably two of the biggest english literature characters being played by Americans. I would change my mind if the actor was perfect for the part, however Brad Pitt is not.

If Daniel Day Lewis was interested he would be by number 1 choice. Gary Oldman would be a close second.
Ryden
Ryden - 1/3/2010, 1:24 PM
@Leonard- I could see DDL as Moriarty or Oldman..but Pitt is a good choice and he is a really great actor. Even if Infamouslycool seems to think otherwise.....
BillyBatson
BillyBatson - 1/3/2010, 7:34 PM
I'm fairly positive Pitt was already the voice of Moriarty in Sherlock Holmes. The voice sounded really familiar to me, but then when I looked to see who played him, there was no information, only rumors that Pitt had provided the voice for him, which were both denied and given a "no comment" to by Guy Ritchie.
DasBoot
DasBoot - 1/3/2010, 10:15 PM
@BillyBatson No Ed Tolputt (basically an unknown actor) was the voice to Moriarty.
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