FROM MTV.COM: Early this year, when MTV News visited the New York set of "Sherlock Holmes," Robert Downey Jr. promised that his take on the masterful inspector would emphasize brawn as much as brains.

"He's a total badass," the Oscar nominee said. "He thinks through all eventualities, possibilities and counterattacks when he's fighting, so he actually has the fight worked out before he starts."

Continue reading Exclusive New 'Sherlock Holmes' Trailer Packed With Fights And Explosions

Earlier today, we served up an exclusive look at the latest trailer for director Guy Ritchie's take on "Sherlock Holmes." But who wants to see just a trailer. This is the Web 2.0 age! We can do anything! So welcome to the latest edition of Freeze Frames!

As if we needed any more reason to see Guy Ritchie's interpretation of "Sherlock Holmes," the master London detective made famous by creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Ritchie's feels like a more action-oriented take on the character, which is fitting with Robert Downey Jr. in the starring role. Even Watson -- played by Jude Law -- comes off as a near-equal badass rather than the inquisitive sidekick his character is traditionally portrayed as. I've got a good feeling about this one. Share your thoughts on the trailer in the comments section below.

Check out the movie when it hits theaters on December 25! And head over to MTV.com to check out the trailer in glorious HD!

Lots going on in this new poster from "Sherlock Holmes," directed by Guy Ritchie. The latest take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic hits theaters on Christmas Day, December 25.

You can see all sorts of crazy action happening in those little boxes on the side. There's Rachel McAdams and Mark Strong, who play Irene Adler and Lord Blackwood, respectively. I also see a dog, a bird, some keys and a gun, and a bottle of what appears to be poison. And of course Holmes (Robert Downey Jr) and Watson (Jude Law) in the middle of it all, cool and collected, as ever. Hit the jump for the full dealie. Read more...

Brad Pitt has been the subject of a whirlwind of internet rumors that would mystify Sherlock Holmes himself. The "Inglourious Basterds" star was pegged for a cameo as the nefarious Moriarty, the titular master detective's arch-nemesis, in the Guy Ritchie-directed "Sherlock Holmes," but denials from Warner Bros. and other official parties effectively squashed that rumor.

Do you think the real Moriarty would reveal his identity so easily? No, he'd confuse his pursuers with misdirection and false leads. But just like legends, a good rumor never dies. Read more...

I wonder who this coffin was meant for, and if it was supposed to be full. Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) and his partner in crimefighting Dr. Watson (Jude Law) are in a graveyard after all. They're looking off-camera at someone or something as if they're expecting something. Or were. What do you think is going on here? Are you as antsy as I am about having to wait until "Sherlock Holmes"' December release to find out? Click the image below to zip over to our exclusive Fall Preview gallery.

Do you like my punny headline?

A very strange week as far as your clicks go. In an odd change from the norm, not a single one of the top three stories for the week has anything to do with vampires. In fact, "Twilight" news doesn't pop up on the list until position number five. Could my Twilighter readers be slipping?

Before we ponder that question, let's take a quick look at the week's Box Office Poll. To no one's great surprise, Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds" leads the voting, with 75% of your clicks. None of the other options really inspired you, with "Post Grad" tying for the second place spot with "staying home and watching TV." Ouch. Read more...

UPDATE: Apologies that this wasn't made clearer. Ritchie's comments on Moriarty came before the Brad Pitt rumor started up.

Two days ago word slipped out that Brad Pitt was off to London, where he'd be shooting a few pickup scenes as Moriarty for Guy Ritchie's December blockbuster "Sherlock Holmes," starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. Warner Bros. acted quickly, issuing a statement that Pitt would not be "joining the cast of 'Sherlock Holmes.'" If wishes were fishes, right?

As it turns out, Moriarty will still be making some kind of appearance in "Holmes." How do we know? Because Ritchie himself told MTV's Josh Horowitz! I would even go as far as saying -- and this is pure speculation -- the Pitt may indeed be showing up as Holmes' nemesis in an uncredited role, since that wouldn't technically mean he's "joining the cast." Think on that as you read what Ritchie had to say. Read more...

UPDATE: The original report in Us Magazine was based on an article in today's London Mirror, which it turns out was slightly inaccurate. And by "slightly," I mean "holy crap, who let this news run?!" Brad Pitt is NOT joining the cast of "Sherlock Holmes." So says Warner Bros. So everything I say below is completely false. You can check out WB's statement right here; I've left the original report after the jump, for posterity.

FROM WARNER BROS.: "The report in today’s London Mirror is completely inaccurate. Brad Pitt is not joining the cast of Sherlock Holmes and we're extremely pleased with the production of the film. As planned, it will be released on Christmas Day, 2009. In order to complete the movie, we've scheduled a few days on set to shoot a couple of additional scenes, obtain pick-up shots, and perfect some of the visual effects elements, all of which is standard filmmaking practice."

Oops. Someone done effed up. Read more...

I've been intentionally ignoring "Sherlock Holmes." That's not to say I won't be seeing it or that I'm uninterested. It's just that we have a long time between now and the late-December release date, and the waiting is killing me. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law as Holmes and Dr. Watson makes for a thrilling pair. Add to that mix the potent force that is "Snatch" director Guy Ritchie, and you've got all the pieces necessary for a heavily stylized period mystery flick. To which I say 'cool'!

Before you hit the jump to check out the shiny new character poster for Mark Strong's Lord Blackwood, take a look at the below video, in which Ritchie describes his tougher take on Holmes. Then head over to MTV.com to learn more about the "tender bromance" that Ritchie's Holmes and Watson share.

Read more...