BENEDICT Cumberbatch looks set to play Sherlock Holmes on the big screen – placing him in direct competition with rival star Robert Downey Jr, who also plays the famous detective on film.
Cumberbatch’s portrayal of Holmes in the BBC1 series has won him critical praise and the show’s makers now want to create a movie version featuring the 35-year-old actor and his sidekick Doctor Watson, played by Martin Freeman, 40.
“Due to Benedict and Martin’s film schedules they’ve only been able to make three television episodes for the latest series and it’s felt a film version is the best way forward,” says an insider. “It’s felt there’s no reason two film versions can’t exist at the same time.”
