'Robery Downey Jr filming Sherlock Holmes in Liverpool' gallery
SUPERSTAR trio Jude Law, Robert Downey Jr and Guy Ritchie have found a prime location to film forthcoming blockbuster Sherlock Holmes – Liverpool’s disused docks.
A stretch of Waterloo Road has been transported back in time to re-create dirt-covered streets of the 19th century, complete with horse-drawn carts and carriages.
Looking dark and brooding on set in a black three-piece suit, Downey Jr is starring as supersleuth Holmes in a story based on a graphic novel by the producer, Lionel Wigram.
His stalwart sidekick Dr Watson is played by Jude Law, who looked ever the traditional Victorian gentleman clad in a tweed suit. Rachel McAdams, of Wedding Crashers fame, is playing the female lead.
And director Guy Ritchie has had a special visitor on set, as his eight-year-old son Rocco joined him yesterday.
Heavy security surrounded the closed-off Old Bridge Gantry, on Waterloo Road next to Stanley Dock – home of the popular Heritage Market.
Police and security guards manned the barriers, where onlookers waited – undeterred by strong winds – hoping to catch a glimpse of the A-listers.
Beyond the barriers, an abundance of trailers serving the cast and crew could be seen. The three – rumoured to be staying at either the Radisson, Malmaison or Hope Street Hotel – have been sighted on and around the location. It is not known if Ritchie will return to London today, as his “quickie” divorce from Madonna is due to be heard before a judge in the High Court’s Family Division.
It is thought that filming will continue at Stanley and Clarence docks until tomorrow.
On Wednesday, scenes featuring extras in period dress and props such as horses and carts were shot.
A crew member said: “It was fantastic, it was transported back to the past, to the time when it probab-ly would have been a thriving port.
“They spread peat over the road surface to hide the yellow lines.’’
Due out next November, the film will depict Holmes – always renowned as a boxer – as less stuffy and more adventurous, using physical prowess along with his intellect.
