Box Office Battle Royal: Detective Style!

Robert Downey Jr. is set to star as the title character in Guy Ritchie’s adaptation of the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle novel Sherlock Holmes. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the movie takes its cue from a forthcoming comic book that producer Lionel Wigram wrote as a selling tool for a new take on the classic character. The concept sees Holmes as more adventurous and less stuffy than previous screen incarnations and mines more obscure character traits.

Warner Brothers will have to contend with Columbia pictures for who has the Best Sherlock Holmes in 2009.   Columbia’s version will star Sasha Baron Cohen as the elite detective with Will Ferrell as his trusty assistant Dr. Watson.   I guess we can expect some more guy on guy from the Talladega Nights duo. Judd Apatow will produce this comedic version of the tale. No director is attached as of yet.

Warner Brothers plans to shoot in the fall and release Downey jr.’s version in October of 2009.