Scriptwriter Begins Work on Third Sherlock Holmes Movie

Movie studio bosses are planning on turning director Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes project into a trilogy - they've hired a scriptwriter to begin work on a third film before the first sequel hits cinemas.

Robert Downey, Jr. has reprised his role as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional detective for the upcoming Sherlock Holmes A Game of Shadows, which also stars Jude Law as his sidekick Dr Watson.

The film is not due to hit theatres until December (11), but Warner Bros. executives are so sure the second installment will be a box office hit, they've appointed Drew Pearce to pen the script for another follow-up.

It won't be Pearce's first project with Downey, Jr. - he's also working on the third Iron Man movie.