What? Colin Farrell as Dr. Watson? I Don't Buy It

Here's the thing about these casting rumors: They're fun to debate and they're goddamned annoying. You're obligated to bring them up because some of them need to be tarred and feathered in front of as many people as possible, but at the same time, it does kind of get old after a while. So I'll cut to the chase: JoBlo says that Colin Farrell will play Watson opposite Robert Downey Jr. in Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes. Having seen Farrell do arguably the best work of his career this year in Cassandra's Dream and In Bruges - they're certainly the best back-to-back performances he's ever given - I have no problem with an actor of his ability, and he has plenty, scoring a big role in a possible blockbuster. But I have a real problem with him as Watson, and I think audiences would, too. In Bruges is a fantastic film, my favorite of the year heading into awards season, and it's better because of his work. But I said this when the rumors were swirling about Russell Crowe as Watson (now rumored to be the villain Moriarty): You don't want Watson to take attention away from Holmes. Holmes is the magnetic character here, and if you put Robert Downey Jr. on screen with Colin Farrell, suddenly it's a two-horse race. Add Russell Crowe and that's a lot of firepower, but it may be too much. JoBlo's source said they "know for a fact" that Farrell is in. Honestly, he'd make a better Moriarty for Downey's Holmes than Crowe would, but Watson? I don't think so. Seriously, Sarah Palin's a better pick for Vice President. I doubt this could work and I also doubt the truthfulness of the story. Two months ago today we cast the role for Guy Ritchie - and he never thanked us. Knowing what we know now about the story, I'm going to cut out any of my potential picks over the age of 50. So goodbye Jim Broadbent, Ray Winstone, Bill Nighy, Brendan Gleeson, and Alan Rickman. That leaves only three, all of whom I think are more intelligent choices than Colin Farrell: Paul Giamatti, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Eddie Izzard. I think it's a role best suited for Giamatti, but again, knowing what we know, I think I'd lean towards Izzard at the moment. You have to admit, you'd believe him as Sherlock Holmes' right-hand man more than you would Colin Farrell.

Comments

[erichansa]

I love fantastic film

[Lengthy Johnson]

Ooo ... Izzard is an entertaining person but he has no real acting ability. He certainly wouldn't steal the show from Robert Downey.

No way that Farrel and Izzard are interchangeable, either.

I think you are right that it should be a light-hearted guy, though, to complement the brainy gravitas of Holmes.

Why not Rob Brydon or even Steve Coogan? Both could be boorish and very funny.