I blame the Bond movie.
No. No, no, no, no, and just in case you were wondering, no.
What makes Sherlock Holmes iconic? Oh, I dunno, could it be his powers of observation and his clever deductions? Reboot, don't reinvent. At least not if you want your central character to be Holmes and not some original character who happens to share the same name. Want a Conan Doyle character who might credibly swashbuckle? Try Professor Challenger instead. Or move further afield to Allan Quatermain. All of those characters have baggage, but I'm sure Guy Ritchie can blithely ignore it.
(Discovered via
agilesreader.)
PS to all concerned: Hugh Laurie is already playing Holmes weekly, on American television. If he's smart, he'll find new territory.
What makes Sherlock Holmes iconic? Oh, I dunno, could it be his powers of observation and his clever deductions? Reboot, don't reinvent. At least not if you want your central character to be Holmes and not some original character who happens to share the same name. Want a Conan Doyle character who might credibly swashbuckle? Try Professor Challenger instead. Or move further afield to Allan Quatermain. All of those characters have baggage, but I'm sure Guy Ritchie can blithely ignore it.
(Discovered via
PS to all concerned: Hugh Laurie is already playing Holmes weekly, on American television. If he's smart, he'll find new territory.
They really should leave Holmes alone - what's will all this "re-identification" crap?
And yes - I personally would love to see a new Quartermain film.
Anyway, that film was a huge success, so the concept is big just now.
You speak for me.
Happy weekend, regardless of news of such travesties.
The Holmes I know and love may have resorted to fisticuffs but he is in no way a swashbuckler.
There was a lovely essay someone linked me to comparing House and Wilson to Holmes and Watson. Wish I had bookmarked it so I could link you.
As far as I'm concerned, Jeremy Brett is/was Holmes. Can't be any closer, so what's the point in trying.
Allan Quatermain is an inspired suggestion, I'd love to see a decent film about him, and in an ideal world Alan Moore would write the screenplay.
Holmes was an intellectual, capable of playing the bruiser if he needed to, but very much given to solving problems with thought rather than action. Less is more, in his case - subtle and understated strength of heart and mind. Even if he could straighten out a bent poker should the need arise!
Besides - if you turn Holmes into a man of action, what on earth are they going to do with Watson?
I have to say that Peter Cushing is probably my favourite Holmes - although Brett does come a close second ...
I'd watch a film of The White Company. And The Black Company too, for that matter. Mud and blood.
Rupert Everett and Richard Roxburgh have both played a superb Holmes. Apparently Roxburgh wasn't available to reprise the role and Everett stepped in, explaining why Ian Hart played Watson (brilliantly) both times. That had me confused for a bit.
Robert Downey Jr is a superbly talented actor, so I've no problem with him - if he can be Chaplin he can be Holmes. I shouldn't diss Guy Ritchie as I've never seen one of his films, but they do not appeal to me in the slightest. Fingers crossed it all turns out ok. It just so happens I'm in the middle of The Boscombe Valley Mystery right now...
I like Downey as well. But I think the roles wants an iconic British actor. I'd take Laurie, even though I think it would be a retread for him.