We have seen many depictions of Sherlock Holmes on both the big and small screen over the years, and a new interpretation is heading out way this summer with Mr Holmes.
Mr Holmes
It really is not all about the blockbusters this summer as Mr Holmes is promising to be packed with unforgettable drama - it is the summer movie that I am looking forward to the most as Ian McKellen is back on the big screen.
However, Mr Holmes shows the iconic literary character like we have never seen him before - forget the energy of Robert Downey Jr and Benedict Cumberbatch - this movie explores an aging Holmes who is looking back at his life as well as asking questions about his own mortality.
To be honest, I don't think that I can think of a finer actor to take on this role as McKellen is one of the finest actors of his generation - I really cannot wait to see him get under the skin of this character and show a side to him that we have never seen before.
It is rather unusual that a movie like this would be out during the summer period - these movies tend to creep out in the autumn as the awards talk gets underway - but it is a very welcome change to the types of films that we are usually treated to at this time of year.
Mr Holmes sees McKellen reunite with filmmaker Bill Condon, who returns to the director's chair for the first time since The Fifth Estate almost two years ago. McKellen and Condon first worked together on Gods and Monsters back in 1999 and I can't wait to see them working together again.
Mr Holmes is also going to introduce us to the acting talents of youngster Milo Parker, the son of Holmes' housekeeper. Parker made his big screen debut earlier this year with Robot Overlords and is an acting talent to keep an eye on over the next couple of years.
Laura Linney, Hattie Morahan, Patrick Kennedy, Hiroyuki Sanada, Roger Allam, and Philip Davis join McKellen and Parker on a very exciting cast list.
In 1947, the world famous sleuth has retired to a remote Sussex farmhouse, living in relative anonymity with only his housekeeper Mrs Munro and her young son Roger for company.
Cantankerous, demanding, and frustrated with the mis-representation of him in Watson's best-selling novels, he diverts his attention to an unsolved case. As the mystery deepens, Sherlock tries desperately to recall the events of 30 years ago, that ultimately led to his retirement.
I have been looking forward to Mr Holmes for some time, not only because I am a big fan of this character, but also because it is a new interpretation of this great character. The movie was met well at the Berlin International Film Festival and I can't wait to see McKellen in action for myself.
Mr Holmes has been tipped by some as one of the very early Oscar contenders for 2016... could this be the film that sees McKellen finally get his hands on a Best Actor Oscar? Hard to believe that he has never won one.
Mr Holmes is released 19th June.
Tagged in Sir Ian McKellen Mr Holmes