Variety is reporting that Dexter Fletcher has signed on to direct the long-awaited third installment in Warner Bros'
Sherlock Holmes trilogy, which will see Robert Downey Jr. (
Avengers: Endgame) and Jude Law (
Captain Marvel) reprise their roles as Dr. Holmes and Dr. Watson, respectively.
The prior two films, which were directed by Guy Ritchie (
Aladdin), were major box office blockbusters and combined to gross over $1 billion worldwide.
According to the report, Warner Bros. always intended to make a third film, but due to RDJ's busy Marvel schedule, moving forward with production on the third chapter proved to be easier said than done. However, with Downey Jr.'s Iron Man commitments now complete, WB was quick to set a release date and begin their director search.
Fletcher was recently at the helm of Paramount Pictures' critically-acclaimed Elton John biopic,
Rocketman, which, to date, has grossed over $175.2 million worldwide ($89.6M domestic; $85.5M foreign) on an estimated $40 million production budget. His past directing credits also include
Eddie the Eagle,
Sunshine on Leith, and
Wild Bill.
Sherlock Holmes 3 will hit theaters December 21, 2021.