Sherlock Holmes has been a beloved character since he first appeared in 1887, and now is a great time to reimagine how he’s shown in movies. He’s been adapted into countless stories, proving his enduring appeal, but also suggesting it’s time for a fresh, updated take.
Movies like Enola Holmes, starring Millie Bobby Brown, show us how people see Sherlock Holmes today. We’re seeing fewer direct adaptations of Arthur Conan Doyle’s original stories, and these new versions often have only a loose connection to the source material. Like recent Sherlock Holmes TV shows, the next film needs to make one important change to stay relevant.
The Next Sherlock Holmes Movie Needs to Be Set in the Present Day
Recent TV adaptations have updated the classic detective stories to the present day, and the next film should follow suit. This approach gained popularity with the acclaimed BBC series Sherlock, which successfully modernized the character for today’s viewers.
Featuring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, the series remains popular, largely due to its compelling portrayal of the main character. With high-quality production, clever writing, and a breakthrough performance by Cumberbatch as the unforgettable lead, the show explored the character’s unique quirks, creating a nuanced depiction of a brilliant, but often difficult, man.
The show started as a planned American version of a popular BBC series for CBS. However, because of how the character rights were structured, CBS decided it was more profitable to create an entirely original series based on a similar concept instead.
Eschewing the connection to the BBC show, Elementary did things the prestige textures of Sherlock.
Despite these differences, it became clear that the stories of Sherlock Holmes could be reimagined in countless ways. Both of these series were successful and paved the way for even more modern updates. For example, the Japanese series Miss Sherlock offered a fresh take in 2018, and a new version recently appeared on network television.
Updating the Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson timeline for television has been a great success, sparking renewed interest in the classic stories. Any future movie adaptation will need to achieve the same cultural impact to resonate with audiences.
The Character, Not The Setting, Is What Makes Sherlock So Compelling
Sherlock Holmes continues to be a fascinating character, largely because he feels at home in almost any situation. While his use of drugs like cocaine and amphetamines in the stories is now seen as disturbing, it’s become a key part of understanding his complex personality – a blend of brilliant intelligence and troubling addiction.
Holmes is a character defined by the challenges that come with his extraordinary intelligence and how it affects his sense of belonging. This internal conflict isn’t tied to a specific time period; in fact, modern adaptations that place him in present-day settings have often made his struggles even more relatable and engaging.
Recent versions of this story have stayed true to the original, but after many years, it’s becoming difficult to find fresh ideas for direct adaptations.
Recently, there’s been renewed interest in exploring Sherlock Holmes’ later years. Although the original stories have been thoroughly analyzed, fresh perspectives on Holmes’ character continue to offer valuable insights.
Sherlock Holmes is incredibly intelligent and focused, but can also be quite difficult to be around. He struggles with addiction and finds it hard to connect with people because he constantly observes details others miss. While his amazing ability to deduce information is a strength, it also leaves him feeling isolated and detached.
To make future versions of the Holmes stories work better, filmmakers should focus on how his personality fits into our tech-driven world. Instead of just adding modern action and dark humor to a historical setting – like some previous adaptations have done – they need to explore what a character like Holmes would be like in a world so reliant on technology.
The BBC’s Sherlock Set an Incredible Precedent
Stories don’t have to be strictly bound to their usual time and place, and that opens up exciting possibilities. For example, the BBC series Sherlock made a smart move in its Christmas special, “The Abominable Bride.” Instead of taking place in the present day, like the rest of the show, the special was set in Victorian London – the same era as the original Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle.
The show smoothly transported its characters and actors to this new environment, giving viewers a thrilling glimpse of how a more accurate adaptation of Sherlock could have been. While this episode was both successful and stayed with viewers, it also hints at a format the show could explore more frequently.
A third film starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law has been in development for quite some time. Despite occasional updates, it remains a planned project. Although the first two movies weren’t completely faithful to the original source material, their unique style proved popular with audiences, earning the franchise over $1 billion worldwide. Much of this success is attributed to Downey Jr., who brought his charm and humor to the series.
The next Sherlock Holmes movie should be set in the present day. Although shifting the timeline after so long—the last film was in 2011—might surprise viewers, it could also be a good thing, giving the story a fresh and modern feel.
Updating the Sherlock Holmes stories to take place in modern-day England or America would be a great move, as these characters work well in different eras. The most exciting path forward for the series would be to bring Robert Downey Jr. back as Holmes, and re-team him with Jude Law as a contemporary John Watson – it would instantly revitalize the franchise.
Sherlock Holmes has consistently proven its adaptability, and the stories remain engaging for modern audiences. The success of shifting the setting in previous films demonstrates that a fresh approach can make the new movie feel exciting and original.
Giving the next Sherlock Holmes movie a polished, modern look would help it stand out from the many Sherlock Holmes TV shows already available.
It’s time to bring Sherlock Holmes back to the movies, and the next film should definitely be set in modern times. Viewers clearly enjoy seeing this classic character reimagined for today, as evidenced by the success of recent TV shows based on the same idea.
Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, Inspector Lestrade, and the other characters from the stories are still incredibly popular. To keep them relevant and engaging for modern audiences, it’s a great time to create new mysteries for them set in the present day.
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2026-02-21 18:40