With Marvel's Sherlock Holmes 3 prior to its release.

However, nearly two years have ed since long-standing involvement in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but where exactly does the third Holmes film stand?

Empire recently spoke with Jude Law – who memorably played the Dr. Watson to Downey's Holmes – about the current status of the as-yet-untitled Sherlock Holmes 3.

Here's what he had to say:

"I think [Warner Bros.] wants it, and there's a lot of want from us as a team. We want it to be better than the other two. We want to make sure it's smarter and cleverer, but in the same realm."

The actor has already met with the studio about the project and appears eager to get back to work on the next entry in the Sherlock Holmes franchise. It's just a matter of finding the right time to get the film into production and do the franchise justice. Said Law:

"It's a slow process. We're all busy. So getting us together to try to nail that has taken a little bit longer than we had hoped. … I hate celebrating anything I've done, but I'm so proud of those films. I think it was Joel Silver who said, 'Take it out of that dusty room and put it on the street'."

Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes films have essentially re-energized - on the big screen, anyway - a character who's existed in one form or another since the late 19th century, and by that rationale, this latest incarnation has become a massive success. The fact that Law and the rest of the Holmes team sound ionate about the property and aren't rushing a haphazard film through to production is probably in the best service of the franchise… and the fans.

Iron Man 3 screenwriter Stephen Fry – will reunite with Downey and Law onscreen. A Game of Shadows left the fate of Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris) deliberately ambiguous, but considering the character is Holmes' arch-nemesis in the novels, a return in some capacity is probably more likely than not.

Are you still looking forward to a third Sherlock Holmes adventure? If so, what would you like to see happen in the film? Sound off in the comments.

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Stay tuned to Screen Rant for the latest details on the as-yet-untitled Sherlock Holmes 3.

Source: Empire