Even before the first SHERLOCK HOLMES was released, there was rampant speculation as to which A-list actor would take on the crucial role of the detective's archenemy, Professor James Moriarty. Would it be Brad Pitt? Daniel Day Lewis? Burt Reynolds?
Well, according to Latino Review's El Mayimbe, Guy Ritchie and the gang have their evil genius - and if you were hoping for a big name, you're going to be disappointed. If, however, you just wanted the best actor for the job, you're going to be thrilled to learn that the role has gone to Jared Harris.
Though Harris (the son of the late, great Richard Harris) has been working steadily in film since the early '90s, he's probably best known to American audiences for his run on MAD MEN as the frugal and efficacious Lane Pryce (who had a very interesting episode last Sunday). Harris is a tremendously gifted actor who's well overdue for a huge role like this. While I'm sure some of you had other ideas about who should play Moriarty, I hope you'll give Harris a chance - especially if you aren't familiar with his work beyond, say, RESIDENT EVIL: APOCALYPSE and FRINGE.
Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law will, of course, be reprising their roles from the original. It was also announced a few days ago that Stephen Fry has joined the cast as Sherlock's older brother Mycroft Holmes. Love the way the sequel is coming together. Here's hoping Kieran and Michele Mulroney are doing a bang-up job on the screenplay (which, for my money, was the only weak element of the first film).
