Guy Ritchie Gives A Real RockNRolla Update

Guy Ritchie is become a staple director at Warner Bros. handling their Sherlock Holmes franchise and is in talks for their 60's era spy blockbuster The Man From UNCLE. Ritchie talked to MovieLine and revealed the status of his sequel to RockNRolla that had the working title of The Real RockNRolla. The sequel had been teased at the end of the first film and fans have actively waiting for Guy to finally get around to making it. 

"You know, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about it! I’ve written a script, I think it’s a great script, and Joel [Silver] wants to pay for me to do it. But up until now we haven’t had the time to do it," Ritchie said. "It’s sitting there and we’d all like to do it, it’s just a question of when we’re going to fit it in. So we’ll wait and see."

Luckily, RockNRolla had been a Warner Bros. film with studio producer Joel Silver also involved. Silver is also working with Ritchie on his Sherlock Holmes franchise. It seems like RDJ is keen on taking a bit of break from Holmes even if the studio is currently writing a third film. So like I've said previously he could end up making two films between Sherlock Holmes 2 and 3. The only thing that could derail The Real RockNRolla is possibly The Man From UNCLE and it's sequels. Also, the cast of the original seems to be blowing up on their own. It might be hard to lock in Gerard Butler, Idris Elba, Tom Hardy, Mark Strong and Toby Kebbell for the sequel.

Guy Ritchie Will Likely Direct The Man From UNCLE

Deadline reports that Warner Bros. in talks with Guy Ritchie (Lock Stock, RockNRolla, Snatch) to direct The Man From UNCLE. The project was written by screenwriter Scott Z. Burns and previously had Steven Soderbergh as it's director which is based on the classic 60's spy television show. The project seemed to come to halt when the studio and Steven couldn't work out the casting and it's budget. I'm sure with this news casting announcements won't be far behind.

Ritchie has been a loyal director for the studio helming two Sherlock Holmes installments with a third in the works. However, Robert Downey Jr. has stated recently with his new baby on the way he would be slowing down big projects. This could mean that Guy would have time to fit in a couple of films before we see Sherlock Holmes 3 go into production. It's also expected that UNCLE could become a new franchise for the studio similar to Mission Impossible. That would mean Ritchie might have agreed to make sequels if the first film is successful.

Warner Bros. Looking To Hire Writer For Sherlock Holmes 3

It looks like Warner Bros. is hot on their Sherlock Holmes franchise as Deadline reports that they're moving forward with the third installment. The second film Game Of Shadows hasn't even hit theaters but the studio is looking to hire Drew Pearce to pen Sherlock Holmes 3. Pearce recently co-wrote the Iron Man 3 script with director Shane Black. Also, writing The Runaways script for Marvel Studios.

It seems like a good way to push forward a solid trilogy before the heat wears off and director Guy Ritchie looses interest. Ritchie's many other film projects [The Real RockNRolla, Lobo, Dirty Dozen, Sgt. Rock] have been put on hold because of the Holmes series. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law have previously stated they'd both be on board for a trilogy. It's currently unknown if either Noomi Rapace or Rachel McAdams would be returning for the next installment.

Joel Kinnaman & Kit Harington Front-Runners For Arthur & Lancelot

It was surprising when Warner Bros. axed potential remakes of Excalibur from both Bryan Singer (X-Men 1-2, Jack The Giant Killer, Usual Suspects) and Guy Ritchie (Sherlock Holmes 1-2, Snatch) to more forward with Arthur & Lancelot. A new "grounded" take on the classical tale from Wedding Crashers director David Dobkin was chosen instead with a budget around $90 million. It seemed a bit brash considering the talent behind the Excalibur projects but you never know with these things. I never thought comedy director Ruben Fleischer would end up making Gangster Squad. Since Ruben's credits only include Zombieland and 30 Minutes Or Less but it seems like the studio is giving chances to let directors branch out.

There is finally some interesting news casting-wise as ThePlaylist reports that Joel Kinnaman (Snabba Cash, The Killing) and Kit Harington (Game of Thrones) have come out as front-runners for the leads. It's unknown who is expected in what part but there is also a list of other candidates that includes names like Sam Claflin (Pirates 4, Snow White & The Huntsman, Dominic Cooper (Devil's Double, Captain America), Hans Matheson (Sherlock Holmes, Clash of The Titans), Jim Sturgess (50 Dead Men Walking, Cloud Atlas), Ben Walker (Paradise Lost, Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter) and Liam Hemsworth (Hunger Games, Expendables 2). Joel Kinnaman was recently toted as Steven Soderbergh's choice for the second lead in The Man From UNCLE which is being produced by David Dobkin. I expect Kit's rather large international following from Game of Thrones doesn't hurt his chances either.

Amazing Video Tribute To The Films Of Guy Ritchie

Guy Ritchie Offered 300 Prequel Xerxes

Vulture reports that Warner Bros. has offered Guy Ritchie the directing gig on Xerxes the 300 prequel which will also be written by creator Frank Miller. Zack Snyder had initially been tapped as the director but likely had to drop out to focus all his energy into making Superman and possible sequels.

Ritchie is becoming a main director at the studio similar to Christopher Nolan and Snyder directing two Sherlock Holmes films. He is no stranger to comic book films as he was attached to direct both Sgt. Rock and Lobo based on DC Comic properties for Warner Bros. previously. The two projects have been stuck in limbo and Ritchie has moved on with his Holmes franchise. Robert Downey Jr. will be busy filming Avengers and Iron Man 3 in the next year or two. So I doubt Sherlock 3 would be his next film making this a great project for Guy to take on. I think it's beyond different from everything else he's done before and it would be a return to R-rated material.

Actor & Director For Superior To Be Announced In January

Mark Millar has Tweeted that along with a director to be announced in January an actor has been locked in to star in Superior. The comic focuses on a teen with MS who is transformed into his favorite superhero, think Superman meets Big. It mixes well established comic book mythologies from Superman, Thor to Shazam!. Even more impressive is Millar's statement "highest profiled actor of 2010". That is suggestive as there are lots of names that he could be referring to from Ryan Reynolds to Leonardo DiCaprio. The list of actors I have in my head that would consider this project include Sam Worthington and Tom Hardy. Jon Hamm's name has been tossed around by Millar for the film but didn't have a massive breakout in 2010 besides his role in The Town.

Now comes the director involved. I won't pretend to know what direction the film is going since I don't even know which studio has grabbed the project. If it's Universal or Fox I expect someone like Matt Reeves (Cloverfield, Let Me In) could very well be lined up. Reeves has been in contention for both Superman and Wolverine 2. He also made my list of possible directors for Iron Man 3. If it's Warner Bros. Guy Ritchie's name had been thrown around during talks for Nemesis before Tony Scott was hired. Yet since this is too similar to Superman I doubt he'll direct this one considering his relationship with both Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment.

Matthew Vaughn on the other hand could be another person to take on the film. He campaigned with Millar for their own pitch for the Superman reboot to Warner Bros. Vaughn also had been attached to direct Thor before Kenneth Branagh came on board. While Matthew has stated he believes the superhero film genre is on it's last legs he went on to direct X-Men First Class and is still interested in making Kick-Ass 2. Superior is a very different take on the whole genre and could interest lots of director, so who knows?

When Will We See Guy Ritchie's The Real RockNRolla?

 The article on the site that gets the most traffic and comments is the one focusing on Guy Ritchie's The Real RockNRolla. It's been promised ever since the original theatrical release of RockNRolla and it was even teased in the credits. Since then Guy Ritchie has been focused on many other projects. I'm going to run down what those movies are and the prospects of when we could expect Ritchie to start production on the RockNRolla sequel.

When it comes to Ritchie's current project he is shooting Sherlock Holmes 2 with Robert Downey Jr. The now established franchise is giving Guy more commercial success than he's ever had before. I expect like with other dedicated Warner Bros. directors (Nolan, Snyder) he will be rewarded with financing for his original projects. The only setback is that he might want to round out a Holmes trilogy before jumping into anything else. I wouldn't be shocked to see Sherlock Holmes 3 his next film.

Guy's previously attached projects could also become a hold up on The Real RockNRolla. He's been in talks with producer Joel Silver to helm both Lobo and Sgt. Rock which are based on the DC comics.
The studio had filmed test shots for Lobo with Jeffery Dean Morgan (Watchmen) and possibly Clancy Brown (Highlander, Starship Troopers). Sgt. Rock is also in development hell and is being re-tool from being set during WWII to the future. I'm not sure if the productions stopped because of Holmes 2 or the fact the characters were taken from Silver by DC Entertainment.


Ritchie has also been attached to direct remakes of the Dirty Dozen and Excalibur for the studio. From what I understand Dozen got the axe because of Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds. I'm sure it will eventually happen but needs time between the Tarantino film.

Excalibur was once part of Bryan Singer's long list of projects in the works. He's been focused on Jack The Giant Killer which made opt out on directing X-Men First Class. Giving Matthew Vaughn the chance to finally show us his version of the X-Men universe. It would be interesting to see Ritchie take on the world of fantasy.


Another dreaded obstacle could be Ritchie signing onto new projects. Mark Millar teased that Ritchie along with Sam Raimi had been interested in making a movie based on his comic Nemesis. The project now has Tony Scott in the director's chair setup at 20th Century Fox. It's not surprising to see his name involved with Millar's projects since Kick-Ass director Matthew Vaughn is a friend and producer of Guy's films. Vaughn helped produce Lock Stock, Snatch and Swept Away. Millar is now teasing that his new comic Superior will become a film. Superior is a mix of iconic comic book mythology taking influences from Superman, Thor and Shazam!. The comic writer says the director would be announced in January. There is a possibility Guy Ritchie very well could be this name.

A very doubtful but still possible project could be Iron Man 3. It's unlikely because of Guy's current relationship with both DC and Warner Bros. Yet Robert Downey Jr. has director approval and could choose someone he's worked with before.

There could also be other unnamed projects which come up and he signs on. My expectations is that while The Real RockNRolla script is more than likely completed Guy could focus more on his high profile projects first. I wouldn't assume to see it go into production until 2012-2013 at the earliest. While there is enough of a demand from fans of the original he is sort of moving forward with different types of films. You can't blame him for wanting to expand his genres and can respect wanting to try different things.

First Look: Noomi Rapace In Sherlock Holmes 2

RUMOR: Jared Harris & Russell Brand Join Sherlock Holmes 2?

LatinoReview says they've scooped the news that Jared Harris (Benjamin Button) has landed the role of villain Professor Moriarty in Sherlock Holmes 2. The role had been rumored to be going to either Brad Pitt or Daniel Day Lewis.

TheDailyMail is also reporting that British comedian Russell Brand has met with director Guy Ritchie for a role in the film. Recently Stephen Fry and Noomi Rapace have joined the film so it's likely official announcements will be made soon.

Stephen Fry Confirms He Is Playing Mycroft In Holmes 2

British comedian Stephen Fry (Blackadder, V For Vendetta) has confirmed to BBC 5's live radio show (via ThePlayist) he's been cast in Sherlock Holmes 2. Fry will play Holmes' older brother Mycroft in the Guy Ritchie film and should give the sequel another boost of comedy. He'll join returning actors Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law along with Swedish newcomer Noomi Rapace. It's expected production will start this fall with the release date set for December 16th 2011.

Noomi Rapace Joins Sherlock Holmes 2

The Hollywood Reporter says that Swedish actress Noomi Rapace will take the role of a mysterious French Gypsy in Sherlock Holmes 2. Rapace seems to be on on a Hollywood hot streak after her powerful performance (possible best actress Oscar nomination) in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. She's also in talks to take on roles in Mission Impossible 4, Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (alongside Jeremy Renner) and the lead in Ridley Scott's Alien prequels.




There is talk from online sources including ThePlaylist that Professor Moriarty could be played by Daniel Day-Lewis and not Brad Pitt.

Millar Thinks Ritchie Or Raimi Could Helm Nemesis

Comic book writer/creator Mark Millar is no stranger to comic book films. Two of his original comics have been turned into films and more on their way. Millar's newest project Nemesis boasts the interesting concept "What if Bruce Wayne was The Joker?". Similar to Kick-Ass it's already generating film potential before it's release on shelves. On his own site's forums he's been putting out who he'd like to see direct the film.

SAM RAIMI DIRECTING NEMESIS? WTF? Can I just stomp this rumour before it gets any further? This week CAA was approached by an A-list director to buy Nemesis before it goes to auction in March… but I just want to make it clear that Sam is not the guy who contacted my agent. I actually think he’s one of the three best living directors and would be honoured to have him on anything I do, but he’s not the guy who got in touch and the truth is that I’m not taking this out until March as originally planned.

RAIMI DIRECTING NEMESIS MIGHT NOT BE CRAZY AFTER ALL! Things move fast in Hollywoodland. I just woke up to some VERY unexpected emails…

I was actually going to talk to Guy about it in the next couple of weeks, but wondered if a brilliant cop versus brilliant supervillain might be too much like Sherlock Holmes. I’m seeing Matthew this week and will see what he reckons.


I think Guy Ritchie would be perfect for the violent nature of Millar's comic book world. The only issue is the one Millar brings up it could be too similar to his Sherlock Holmes series. While I'd like to see Sam Raimi jump into more comic book films I'm doubtful he could make the film Millar wants to see made. Raimi would more than likely do his version of Millar's material. My personal choice would to see director Matthew Vaughn re-team with Millar for Nemesis. I don't think it would be all that horrible for Millar and Vaughn to keep making films together. Kick-Ass 2 is already in the works but I could see Nemesis coming out before the sequel.