Sherlock...Homos?

Tongues are wagging at the news that Guy Ritchie's upcoming Sherlock Holmes film will give the legendary detective (portrayed by white-hot Robert Downey Jr.) and his ever-faithful assistant, Dr. Watson (almost forgotten "It" boy Jude Law), a chance to finally express their attraction...to each other.

The source of the wagging is none other than RDJ himself. (incidentally, this "news" comes days after rumors that producers demanded some major changes. ...) According to News of the World, when asked about the relationship between the two sexy sleuths, he reportedly answered,  “We’re two men who happen to be roommates, wrestle a lot and share a bed. It’s badass.” Law went on to add, "Guy wanted to make this about the relationship between Watson and Holmes. They’re both mean and complicated.” Mean? Complicated? Grrrr...

Those familiar with Ritchie's macho,undernuanced and oversaturated style know better than to expect any hint of a "Brokeback" mystery here. But kudos to him for giving a go at some bloke-on-bloke action. And why not? Holmes was a borderline misogynist with but one vague heterosexual relationship. Author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle rarely provided insight into the inspector's emotional life, but when he did, it was in the context of Holmes' feelings for Watson.

Let's just hope it's not a total cock tease, with Holmes falling into one of his drug-induced stupors or "doing it for a case." Yawn. Then again, we know both these guys can play gay, and I'd break out my pipe to watch these two strip off the manacles of Victorian finery and get "mean and complicated" with each other. Case closed.

(Images courtesy of Warner Bros.)

Comments

[Adrian L]

where did rdj get that body? oh yeah jail...where are the tats? mmmmmwoof

[Dan Anderson]

Hmm, I'm not sure I'd want to get in bed with that body. Is it just me, or does he look like he's slowly being "compacted"? LOL

[hiyaabuddy]

"Inspector Holmes"?? Did the person writing the article (!) ever read Sherlock Holmes?

[greyhound1954]

I don't know if I want my Sherlock Holmes to be "made" gay. My reading of this fictional character is that he is asexual more than anything else. What consumes Holmes is keeping his mind engaged; the fact that there wasn't enough criminal mystery to occupy him is the chief reason for his dabbling in drugs. As for Downey, I'm sure he'll do a great job, although Jeremy Brett will always be the "best" Holmes to me.

[GlennC]

Everyone knows that Basil Rathbone was the best Sherlock Holmes.

[kingstonbuddyboy]

I have always loved Sherlock Holmes mysteries since I was a little kid (long before I knew I was gay.) Now that I am "mature" enough to read into it with my "gaydar", it has become clear to me that this character and the stories that contain him are very homosexually suggestive (much like Agatha Christie, whom I also grew up on.) It does not bother me one bit - in fact it hits home! Sherlock is like me - tall, slender, dark-haired, witty, and intelligent...and his closest confidante is a little shorter, more rotund, (dare I say "burly"?) and intelligent as well, but not to the extent that Sherlock is. The fact that the stories were written in Victorian times is the reason they are not more explicit! This is how they were able to express themselves in those times...Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was most certainly homosexual in some sense! He's kinda hot too...or at least WAS in his time on this earth. I have come to appreciate Basil Rathbone since taping Hound of the Baskervilles in 1993 (the film is from the 30's), but I did grow up watching Jeremy Brett! Although Watson (and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle who resembles him) are much more my speed! WOOF!!!!

[Jack]

O quit it, Melinda. Why do you have to make everything all about GAY?

[corrective_unconscious]

If Ritchie made it...it's likely unwatchable.

[oyun]

Hmm, I'm not sure I'd want to get in bed with that body.

[Rain City Blues]

No shit, Sherlock?

Dig deeper, Watson!!!!!!!

[Ray]

i see some comments posted here about robert downey jr.'s body, and having or not having sex with him. what's up with that? everyone has a righ to their own opninon, but what does his body have to do with him being an attractive person? he's an actor! playing a part in a film for god's sake. personally i've always found him to be very attractive, but then i like his attitude, his demeanor. but still, i don't drool over him like an adolescent school boy. sex is fun, and i like it, but there's more to a person than being in the sack with them.

[blah2323]

rdj is not hot...

[samuel4065]

Bring it on! I think both actors are attractive and talented and that Guy Ritchie will bring something exciting and new to the Sherlock Holmes Mysteries.

[Wajdan]

I'm waiting for this movie and really interested in the outcome of Ritchie's style homosexual undertones.

[JustAReader]

One of the most annoying scripts that old queens get into is the whole "everyone's queer" crap. Here it is again. It's a lie and homosexuality is a lie. It's a never ending chase down a long rabbit hole of illusions and delusions.

[Scott Ross]

Billy Wilder got there first. In "The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes," the Great Detective spread a rumor about himself and Watson and, when the Doctor demanded Holmes admit to being heterosexual, Holmes deflected the question. It outraged many Sherlockians at the time.

[Scott Ross]

"Just a Reader" is not only unbalanced ("homosexuality is a lie"?? What the bloody hell does THAT mean?) he's a coward. Sign your name if you're going to rant about fags.

[Onlywayne]

Evidently, JustAReader has had his own issues with homosexuality...and is, no doubt, holding earnestly to a NEW lie to save him. I hope that he will someday have the courage to open his heart and let the waters of love inside of him flow along their natural channel.

[david]

rdj is fucking gross and a jackass

[Milo]

Amen to that,

Onlywayne!

[rechlo]

As much as Justareader is so conflicted with himself, I agree with his theory. I get pretty irritated by the constant "Every ones gay!" theories that homosexuals always have. And people, like Kingstonbuddyboy, will make associations between a character and themselves, to make the fantasy world somewhat more... exciting. But, literature is chalk full of "homoerotica"... Don't know why. One theory could be that, before this whole homosexuality and sexual uncomfort was blown out of proportion, it was QUITE common for men to have a close, male companion. The ancient Greeks are a prime example... well... other than their ACTUAL blatant comfort with homosexuality. It's fascinating to see that we as a people had more of an understanding of "love" in Pre-christian times...

[Aaron M]

Now ya see what religion did to everything or should I say the religious right and all or the Gay Bush boys, can't believe all the liberal fags out there voting for Buch and or the likes of him, Republician I guess its because its got something close to pubic in it.

[Ken]

Robert Downey Jr. is and has always been way cute. Id do him anyday.

[Robert A Spiegel]

Not only have I been avid reader of
Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories
but I am sort of scholar on subject.
Though one may speculate about
Doyle's sexuality and interpolate as
to whether Sherlock was asexual or
misogynist, I do not think there is
any "hard" evidence he was a homo.
To say he must be on account of his
relationship with Watson would be
like saying Lincoln and JFK must be
Gay given affection for or by male
friends in their lives. Now, Basil
Rathbone is another story entirely.
But Basil's seasoning has nothing to
do with Sherlock's fruitfulness. Had
Holmes said "elementary SCHOOL dear
Watson" it might have been reasonable
to conclude he was an Audenistic
pedophile!

[Gene in L.A.]

No, folks, us "homos" do not think "everyone's gay." What's wrong with conjecture? What's wrong with "What if?" Remember, if there is a hint of gay added to this movie it's being done by a straight director known for fairly macho films. It's not part of some queer conspiracy that's out to change the world. After all, if it weren't for straight parents, we wouldn't be here at all! Cheers!

[zach]

next time put a picture of guys naked!!!

[Sitty Living]

mmm now that is one steamy sherlock. Robert Downey Jr. is probably the most badass guy in Hollywood right now.

[Frank]

Wow, nice body on RDJ! I'd rather not see a gay Holmes. I don't know why, but it just doesn't seem to fit to me. Seems more like they're trying to hit a certain demographic by adding 'gay' into the movie. I don't know, that's just my opinion...

Oh, and Peter Cushing was the ONLY Sherlock Holmes!

[Pau]

Well, there does tend to at times be whole "everyone's gay" trends which just go overboard. If they added gay to the movie it might be good depending on how they handle it, but I think most likely I'd prefer it in a subtle innuendo kind of way as it'd be more faithful to the original tales. And they're both gorgeous men and though I liked Robert Downy Jr.'s body more before, I have always liked his acting (can't really comment on his personality like another poster as I've no idea what that's like).

We'll just have to wait and see how the movie turns out =)

[Insideguy]

Conan Doyle was a trained doctor himself and had scientific insight into homosexuality beyond common street knowledge. He and Oscar Wilde had dinner in 1894 with an American Publisher who signed of them to write some of their famous fiction, A STUDY IN SCARLET by Conan Doyle and PORTRAIT OF DORIAN GRAY by Wilde. Conan Doyle called that meeting a golden moment in his life. He became one of Wilde's staunchest defenders during his heinous trials.

[Marshall B in Seattle]

And here's hoping that Holmes' contemporaries Oscar Wilde and his pal Bosie make appearances!