Even if Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law’sSherlock Holmes 3movie does not happen, Guy Ritchie’s newYoung Sherlockseries could be the next best thing. Guy Ritchie’sSherlock Holmesmovies, featuring Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock and Jude Law as Watson, were both commercially successful and received mostly positive critical responses. However, 14 years after the second film’s release in 2011,Sherlock Holmes 3remains in development hell, andit currently looks unlikely that Guy Ritchie will complete hisSherlock Holmestrilogy.
That being said, there are plenty ofupcoming movies and shows about Sherlock Holmes, and they all offer something new and interesting about the world-famous detective’s story. Netflix’sEnola Holmes 3movie starring Millie Bobby Brown, The CW’sSherlock & Daughterseries, and CBS’Watsonseries will mean that fans of the prolific Arthur Conan Doyle detective will not be left wanting. Also anticipated isGuy Ritchie’s new Sherlock-related project, the Amazon Prime series calledYoung Sherlock, as it is an ideal replacement for Richie’sSherlock Holmes 3.

Guy Ritchie’s Young Sherlock Is The Perfect Replacement For Sherlock Holmes 3
Sherlock Holmes 3’s Delays Leaves Ample Room For Guy Ritchie’s Replacement
Guy Ritchie’sYoung Sherlockwill be an eight-episode series released on Amazon Prime Video, based on Andrew Lane’s books of the same name, and will follow a younger version of the consulting detective. Guy Ritchie’s TV show is the perfect replacement for a thirdRobert Downey Jr.Sherlock Holmesmovie. WithGuy Ritchie no longer attached as director forSherlock Holmes 3,even if it does get made,Young Sherlockwill be Ritchie’s opportunity to continue his Sherlock adaptations outside of the films.
With such an unsure future for the Sherlock Holmes movie franchise, it makes sense Guy Ritchie has moved onto other projects.

Furthermore, the 14-year delay forSherlock Holmes 3has meant many have given up hope of the trilogy being completed.Jude Law did issue an encouraging script update forSherlock Holmes 3in late 2024, showing that there’s still interest in the project. However,with Robert Downey Jr. rejoining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it looks like the actor’s schedule will be full, which was the main reason why theSherlock Holmestrilogy was put on hold in the first place. With such an unsure future for theSherlockHolmesmovie franchise, it makes sense Guy Ritchie has moved on to other projects.
No, Young Sherlock Is Not A Prequel To Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Homes Duology
Young Sherlock Will Follow A Different Version Of The Detective
Young Sherlockisn’t a prequel to Guy Ritchie’sSherlock Holmesmovies, despite having the same director and a similar inspiration. A basic synopsis reveals thatYoung Sherlockwill follow a 19-year-old Sherlock at Oxford University, where he finds himself involved in a life-changing murder mystery. The series has aged up the 14-year-old Sherlock from Andrew Lane’s novels, showing slight deviations from the story, but further story details are scarce. The premise seems closest to Lane’s seventh novel,Stone Cold, which was released in 2014, but it may not be a direct adaptation. Read the full synopsis below:
At age 19, Sherlock Holmes is disgraced, raw, unfiltered, and unformed, when he finds himself caught up in a murder mystery at Oxford University which threatens his freedom. Diving into his first-ever case with a wild lack of discipline, Sherlock manages to unravel a globe-trotting conspiracy that will change his life forever.

Guy Ritchie’sSherlock Holmesmovies followed the detective in 1890, which is a similar timeline to Andrew Lane’s novels. Despite this,the two Guy Ritchie projects will apparently not be connected. While Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law’s movies were originally inspired byArthur Conan Doyle’sSherlock Holmesbook series,Young Sherlockwill focus on the noncanonical, Sherlock-inspired series written by Lane. However, it remains to be seen just how faithful an adaptation of the novelsYoung Sherlockwill be.
Young Sherlock Can Be A Spiritual Successor To Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes Movies
Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes Adaptations Will Live On
Despite not being an official prequel to theSherlock Holmesmovies, as they are set in completely different universes and stem from separate origin material,Young Sherlockcan still be a spiritual successor to Guy Ritchie’s films.Under the same director, both Sherlock Holmes projects can encompass a similar feel and tone, which makesYoung Sherlockthe next best thing to anotherSherlock Holmesmovie by Guy Ritchie, especially as he’s left the project. This will only be made more apparent ifGuy Ritchie applies the same action from the Robert Downey Jr. moviesto theYoung Sherlockshow.
10 Best Characters In Guy Ritchie Movies, Ranked
Guy Ritchie is celebrated not just for his innovative direction, but also for crafting some of cinema’s most memorable and compelling characters.
Best known for his gangster movies, it’s surprising thatSherlock Holmesis one ofGuy Ritchie’s best movies. At the time, he had rarely stepped outside the gangster comedy genre, yet the decision to hire Ritchie to direct the big-budget adaptation ofSherlock Holmeswas a great one, as he turned an existing IP into a box office success. Therefore, it’s a shame that we won’t see the director return forSherlock Holmes 3, but ifYoung Sherlockis as good as his other projects and his previous Sherlock adaptation, then the Amazon show will be the next best thing.