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Three months before the first one hits theaters, Warner Bros. is already prepping to make a second Sherlock Holmes film with Robert Downey Jr. in the title role. According to THR’s Risky Business Blog, the studio is looking to bring on Kieran and Michele Mulroney (the writers who had been previously working on the now defunct Justice League: Mortal film) to pen a draft. As well, it is said that Brad Pitt has already had discussions with producers about playing Holmes’ nemesis Moriarty. But you already knew that, as there were plenty of rumors of a Pitt as Moriarty cameo at the end of the first film. Still unconfirmed rumors, that is.

Much of the talent — including Downey Jr., Jude Law (Watson) and Rachel McAdams (Irene Adler) — is expected to return for a sequel, as could Ritchie as director.

Before we get our collective geek panties in a bunch about this, as it is certainly far too early to know whether or not this movie deserves a sequel, let it be known that this is not an uncommon practice in Hollywood. Studios are often looking at sequel story ideas long before films are released. And many properties, especially those with as much name recognition as Holmes, are planned as three-packs of films.

Of course, the final word on this sequel will come down when the first Sherlock Holmes hits theaters on December 25th. No matter how much planning goes into a sequel ahead of time, there’s no way it will get the green light if the first one doesn’t make some money at the box office. Though if I had to make a prediction, I’d say that Holmes has plenty of star power and marketing money behind it — the decision should be rather elementary.

Do you think Sherlock Holmes will earn its way to a sequel?