Fans are exploding with excitement to see every single hero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe come together for the first time in Avengers: Infinity War, but the movie also has a special treat for fans of a completely different iconic fictional franchise.
That’s because when Iron Man and Doctor Strange team-up in the film, it’ll mean two separate versions of Sherlock Holmes will be joining forces. As you probably know, Benedict Cumberbatch plays the role in BBC’s Sherlock while Robert Downey Jr. has portrayed the detective twice in Guy Ritchie’s movie series.
While speaking with European site Kinowetter, Cumberbatch was asked about his thoughts on partnering up with a fellow Sherlock in Infinity War. He admitted that it’s a “weird crossover” but reminded his fans that it’s not the first time he’s acted opposite another Holmes, as he’s also worked with the star of CBS’ Elementary, too.
“Stick around enough in popular culture and you’re bound to have weird crossovers, you know. Jonny Lee Miller and I played Frankenstein and the creature, we swapped roles [in a 2010 stage play], and then we both ended up playing Sherlock. And here I am with Robert Downey Jr. in a completely different franchise…”
Cumberbatch went on to explain why he thinks it was bound to happen that Sherlocks would team up on screen now and then, saying that there’ve just been so many actors who’ve played the Great Detective over the years.
“It’s just weird, but not so much with Sherlock because… it’s the most performed fictional character ever, so it’s no surprise that in the small pool of those of us lucky enough to play that role we’re going to crossover at some point.”
For those Holmes/Marvel aficionados out there, Cumberbatch and Downey aren’t the only former Sherlocks to take part in the MCU. James D’Arcy, who played Edwin Jarvis on Agent Carter, also portrayed the detective in a 2002 TV movie. And, over in the X-Men universe, Magneto himself, Ian McKellen, stepped into the iconic part in 2015’s Mr. Holmes. Maybe he can rub shoulders with Cumberbatch and Downey, too, once that Fox/Disney merger goes through?
Time will tell, but for now, we can all look forward to Avengers: Infinity War, which arrives on April 27th.
