Jude Law is negotiating to join Robert Downey Jr. in "Sherlock Holmes," the drama that Guy Ritchie will direct for Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow Pictures.

Law is expected to close a deal shortly to play Watson, the super-sleuth's sidekick.

Joel Silver, Lionel Wigram, Susan Downey and Dan Lin are producing. Production begins early next month in London.

The film will incorporate the classic tales written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, as well as the comic book "Sherlock Holmes." Studio is still casting some of the principal roles, including the villain, Blackwood.

Law recently completed a role in the Terry Gilliam-directed "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," and stars with Forest Whitaker in the Miguel Sapochnik-directed Universal drama "Repossession Mambo."

Source: Variety