'Sherlock Holmes 2' and 'Transformers 3' Shoot This Summer

Yesterday it was announced that Robert Downey Jr. would not be joining director Jon Favreau for the adaptation of Platinum Comics' series "Cowboys & Aliens" due to "scheduling issues." However, since the actor hadn't lined up a follow-up project to the forthcoming comedy "Due Date," it wasn't clear what was getting in the way. Well, now EW has learned that "Sherlock Holmes 2" is being fast tracked to start production during the summer. Meanwhile, over at Deadline Hollywood, a tidbit of info hidden in some agency news about Shia LaBeouf reveals an estimated May start for production on "Transformers 3."

Even before the first "Sherlock Holmes" was released there was already talk of a sequel. Much of that talk surrounded the classic "Sherlock Holmes" villain, Moriarty, who was even rumored to be played by Brad Pitt. Whoever the villain, we all knew a "Sherlock Holmes 2" was inevitable after the huge tease of an ending from the first film.

Warner Bros. has already commissioned a script from Kieran and Michele Mulroney (who both wrote and directed the 2009 comedy/drama, "Paper Man"), instead of using any of the three screenwriters that wrote the first "Holmes" installment. I wonder why writers Michael Robert Johnson, Anthony Peckham and Simon Kinberg weren't brought back to pen the sequel after doing such a fine job on the first one? Either way, some new writers will probably keep the franchise fresh without veering too far away from the first "Holmes."

The studio is now trying to lock down the cast (which will include RDJ, and most likely the return of Jude Law and Rachel McAdams) for a June shooting start date. It remains to be seen whether director Guy Ritchie will return and direct the second movie, but I can’t see any reason why he wouldn’t.
Back in October, Michael Bay officially announced he would be working on "Transformers 3" for a July, 2011 release date. According to a Deadline Hollywood article about Shia LaBeouf switching agents, the filmm is set to begin filming this May.

There's only one small issue: the script hasn't been finished yet. We know that the writers for the last two films, Bob Orci and Alex Kurtzman, won't be returning to the franchise and that Ehren Kruger will be working on the script for "Transformers 3."

Still, not having a finished script with about three months to go shouldn't pose too much of a problem, right? To be honest, after seeing "Revenge of the Fallen," I would be happy with "Transformers 3" having any kind of cohesive plot.

Be forewarned though, last year Bay mused about the possibility of bringing back Sam Witwicky's college roomie, Leonardo "Leo" Ponce De Leon Spitz, for a larger role in the next film.
(Courtesy of Goof Roof)

Are you happy to see another "Sherlock Holmes" on the way so soon after the first? Do you think RDJ was right to leave "Cowboys & Aliens" for it? What direction would you like the sequel to take?

Are you excited about cast and crew gearing up for "Transformers 3"? What would you like to see in the third installment of the franchise? Should we get our hopes up for anything good?

"Sherlock Holmes 2" is set to start shooting this June. Presumably we’d see it hit theaters sometime in 2011.

"Transformers 3" is set to start shooting this May and is scheduled to hits theater in July, 2011.

More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: Screen Rant, First Showing