THR and Variety are both reporting that Robert Downey Jr. is in final negotiations to play Sherlock Holmes in Guy Ritchie’s ( Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch) upcoming take on the legendary detective.

The film will be based on Producer Lionel Wigram’s as yet unpublished graphic novel (comic book to you heathens) that features a more physical Sherlock Holmes, one that utilizes skills such as swordplay and boxing (the bare knuckle kind).

In addition to directing it, Ritchie will be doing a rewrite of Anthony Peckham. Peckham recently adapted John Carlin’s The Human Factor, a book about Nelson Mandela, for Clint Eastwood. He will also be writing the screenplay for the upcoming film The Tourist, based on Olen Steinhauer’s novel.

Neil Marshall (The Descent, Doomsday) was previously attached to direct, with rumors of Russell Crow playing Holmes.