The writer of Sherlock Holmes 3 has given an encouraging update on the long-awaited trilogy, confirming that a full draft of the script has been written. However, the film’s future remains uncertain Robert Downey Jr. Strict professional schedule.According to The Direct, Chris Brancato, the screenwriter of “Sherlock Holmes 3” and the co-creator and showrunner of the streaming series “Westies”, candidly introduced the latest status of the sequel in an interview. Brancato confirmed that he has completed a complete draft of the script, although he expressed uncertainty about whether the film will ultimately be produced.“Well, I don’t know, it depends on the movie gods. And, Robert’s schedule. Robert has a very, very busy schedule, so I hope it gets done. But you know, we have to wait and see how things develop. You never know with a movie,” Brancato said when asked directly if the movie would ever be released.When asked specifically about the completion status of the script, Brancato confirmed the project’s progress. “Oh, yeah, yeah. I wrote a draft,” he said, with his co-creator Michael Parnes adding that the finished draft was “really good.”
Long history of development and previous updates
“Sherlock Holmes 3” was officially announced in May 2018 and is scheduled to be released on Christmas Day 2020. The studio later delayed the film to December 22, 2021, which would mark a full decade since Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows was released. However, the project never came to fruition and has been in development limbo ever since.The sequel has been in active development since shortly after the second film’s release in 2011, with multiple writers involved in the years before Brancato took over writing duties. Appointing a director in 2019, with reports calling “Rocketman” Helmer Dexter Fletcher signed on after another filmmaker dropped out of the project.In August 2022, it was reported that Sherlock Holmes 3 was scheduled to begin filming at the end of that year, but production never started. In June 2024, Fletcher told industry media that he had worked extensively with Downey on the project before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted everything.
The cast weighed in on the project’s status
supporting role Jude LawDr. John Watson, who played alongside Downey’s Sherlock Holmes in the first two films, gave an official update in November 2024. “Boy, yeah, it’s fun. This plan has been in development for many years, probably close to a decade. There’s a lot of will to make it happen.” Law acknowledged the lengthy development process while expressing optimism about the future of the project.
Downey Jr.’s response and producer’s role
In May 2026, Robert Downey Jr. finally gave a more specific response to the development status of the film. Downey acknowledged in an interview with The Associated Press that decision-making power does not lie with him alone.“I don’t know. People are talking about it. She’s the producer and will have the final say. That’s the biggest mystery,” Downey said, referring to his wife, Susan Downey, who is a producer on the project.
The significance of completing the trilogy
Despite the frustration caused by the extended development time, Sherlock Holmes 3 still represents unfinished business and deserves a proper closure. The success of the first two films was largely due to the extraordinary on-screen chemistry between Downey’s titular detective and Law’s loyal sidekick. Their dynamic proved both fresh and surprisingly emotionally resonant, becoming a major reason for the series’ commercial and critical success.
