The filmmaker behind Elton John’s musical biopic will be directing the latest the 3rd installment of the Sherlock Holmes franchise starring Robert Downey Jr.

The director will be succeeding Guy Ritchie who helmed the previous two films from the franchise. Fans will remember 2009’s Sherlock Holmes and its sequel 2011’s “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. Both films were box office hits grossing $524 million and $545.4 million respectively worldwide.

Variety reports that Warner Bros. had been eyeing the third installment for a while now. However, Downey’s prior commitments with Marvel’s Iron Man has prevented the third film from materializing. Sherlock Holmes 3 is expected to hit cinemas on December 21, 2021.

While Downey Jr. is confirmed to be reprising his role as the detective, Jude Law’s likely return as his right-hand man Professor Watson has not been confirmed. The script will be fro Chris Brancato while producers backing the project are Susan Downey, Joel Silver, Dan Lin, and Lionel Wigram. The production studio had made an initial announcement that the movie would open on Christmas Day of 2020.

The film will be a co-production partnership between Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow Pictures.

Aside from Rocketman, Fletcher’s list of known works include Eddie the Eagle starring Taron Edgerton and Bohemian Rhapsody. The director’s involvement in the latter happened last-minute after original director Bryan Singer was fired from the production after allegations of sexual misconduct.
His directorial debut in the 2011 Wild Bill received a BAFTA nomination. He is credited for his work directing the film adaptation of Sunshine on Leith back in 2013.