The first poster for Etan Cohen’s Holmes and Watson comedy movie reveals a traditional, yet modern Sherlock Holmes and John Watson in the hands of Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly, respectively. Two weeks ago, the first look at Holmes and Watson showed both actors in the iconic characters’ popular garbs, including the detective’s famous top hat. But that was only a glimpse into what this year’s holiday movie will entail.
Ferrell and Reilly are both respected comedy actors in their own rights, but together they are an unstoppable force, having previously co-starred in Step Brothers and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. Although Reilly had a cameo in Anchorman 2, the two actors haven’t starred in a movie together in the title roles in 10 years. But that’s going to change with this year’s Holmes and Watson, written and directed by Cohen, who previously co-wrote Tropic Thunder and Get Hard, as well as directed the latter movie. Since the comedy releases in just a few months, it looks like the studio has now started the film’s marketing campaign.
Columbia Pictures released the first poster for Etan Cohen’s Holmes and Watson movie today, revealing new looks at Will Ferrell’s Sherlock Holmes and John C. Reilly’s John Watson. But what stands out the most in the new poster is the hand signs both actors are doing, showing off the first letters of their last names. It might turn off devoted Sherlock Holmes fans, but the hand signs make sense given the cast and the fact that it’s a comedy movie, first and foremost. Take a look:
[Update: Poster imagery removed at the request of Sony. When new and official versions release we will update.]
Aside from the hand signs, nothing particularly interesting stands out from the new poster. It’s a rather generic poster, for the most part, though its release would suggest a trailer being in the works. Usually, marketing campaigns start out with a first look, a poster, and then a teaser trailer. But for a non-blockbuster movie, it’s possible that a full-length trailer would release soon rather than a teaser trailer. The question is, which movie will it release with? An obvious choice would be in front of another comedy film, such as Paul Feig’s A Simple Favor or perhaps another Sony/Columbia movie, like Yann Demange’s White Boy Rick.
In addition to giving general audiences a first glimpse at the new comedy movie, the trailer will give audiences an idea of what to expect from the film, including whether or not it’s targeting an R-rating or will remain more family-friendly given the source material as well as the fact that it’s releasing over a holiday weekend. But more traditional Sherlock fans can rest assured knowing that Holmes and Watson isn’t the only Sherlock Holmes movie on the way. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law are both set to return as their respective characters in Sherlock Holmes 3 in 2020.
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Source: Columbia Pictures
