Holmes VS. Holmes

Robert Downey Jr.. is in final negotiations to play the title character in the announced Guy Ritchie-directed "Sherlock Holmes " according to The Hollywood Reporter.

A re imagining of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famed sleuth, the new version re-conceives Holmes as more adventurous and less stuffy than previous screen incarnations and mines more obscure character traits. The story will be based on an upcoming graphic novel by Lionel Wigram who is also producing the flick.

This project marks Downey's first post-"Iron Man" film.

Shooting will begin this Fall for a release next October.

The film will compete with the more comedic team Apatow-produced Holmes project starring Sacha Baron Cohen and Will Ferrell (Variety).

With Downey in the title role the reimagining of the character will be much easier to take...

As for Ferrel and Cohen...I wish Apatow would recast his take.