Summary
- Young Sherlock offers a chance to delve into Sherlock's younger years and reveal new aspects of the iconic character.
- Prequels often do not benefit from including several characters from their source material.
- Young Sherlock will likely be better if it focuses on Sherlock and not side characters like Watson.
Though Guy Ritchie has helmed iconic crime movies, including Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch. However, in 2009, Ritchie tried his hand at franchises by directing two Sherlock Holmes movies starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. Now, 15 years later, it seems that Ritchie is ready to return to the world of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's incredible detective.
Guy Ritchie is currently developing a show with Amazon Prime Video called Young Sherlock. The series is based on books written by Andy Lane, which follow the iconic detective as a 19-year-old at Oxford. Unlike other adaptations which portray Holmes as clean-cut, logical, and quick on his feet, this prequel series will see Holmes in a more immature state. Young Sherlock's cast currently includes Hero Fiennes, Zine Tseng, Joseph Fiennes, and Colin Firth. So far, the project seems to be an exciting endeavor, but one plot choice could ruin the entire series.
Could Robert Downey Jr. Appear In Guy Ritchie's New Sherlock Holmes Series?
Guy Ritchie has another Sherlock Holmes adaptation on the way, this time in the form of the prequel, Young Sherlock - but what about his old star?
Guy Ritchie’s Young Sherlock Holmes Should Avoid Bringing In Famous Characters
Prequels Offer A Chance For A New Story
One mistake that Guy Ritchie could easily make with Young Sherlock is including other famous Sir Arthur Conan Doyle characters. Although audiences enjoy figures like Watson, it wouldn't make sense for Sherlock to know him as a teenager. Not only would it mess with the source material's canon, but it would also make Young Sherlock no different from any other Sherlock Holmes retelling. When prequels include young versions of many franchise characters, like Gotham or Smallville, it always feels reductive to the main character's origin story.
Though adding characters like Watson may seem natural or like a beneficial piece of fan service, it is actually only going to drag the series down.
In reality, a prequel series is a chance to do something entirely different with a beloved franchise. Audiences may love Sherlock Holmes, but they have seen all the classic stories time and time again. It is time to get a peek at Sherlock's younger years and learn things about the character that viewers have never known before. Though adding characters like Watson may seem natural or like a beneficial piece of fan service, it is actually only going to drag the series down.
How Young Sherlock Can Make Characters Like Moriarty & Watson Work In A Prequel
Young Sherlock Could Still Utilize Popular Characters Or Have Equivelent Versions Of Them
Though Young Sherlock, the character of Watson hasn't yet been announced. In Moriarty's case, the show could establish a young rivalry between Holmes and Moriarty, making him more of an nuisance for Holmes rather than an all-out antagonist. In Watson's case, the series could re-tell the story of Holmes and Watson, having them meet and become friends at a young age, or Guy Ritchie could simply write a new character that provides the same character value as Watson.
Guy Ritchie's Young Sherlock brings into question whether Sherlock Holmes 3 will ever happen.
Young Sherlock can provide Holmes with a new sidekick and another quirky villain. If anything, these new additions will make the show feel more fresh and exciting. If Young Sherlock is supposed to be different from the main franchise, then it should lean into its differences.
Young Sherlock
Cast
Hero Fiennes Tiffin
Natascha McElhone
Joseph Fiennes
Zine Tseng
Young Sherlock is a series that chronicles the early life of Sherlock Holmes, with Jude Law portraying the famed detective in his formative years. Set in 19th century London, the show delves into Holmes's budding investigative skills and delves into his complex relationships with family and friends. The series explores how his early experiences shaped the detective he would ultimately become.
- Seasons
- 1
- Main Genre
- Adventure
- Creator(s)
- Matthew Parkhill
