Law would be Watson to Robert Downey Jr.'s Holmes

Jude Law is in negotiations to join Robert Downey Jr. in Warner Brothers' fresh take on "Sherlock Holmes."

According to Variety, Law is "close to a deal" to play useful sidekick Watson to Downey's Holmes in the Guy Ritchie-directed feature.

Ritchie and Anthony Peckham's script is based on Lionel Wigram's upcoming comic book, which draws inspiration from Arthur Conan Doyle's classic character, but emphasizes the action-oriented side of Holmes' personality, particularly his vaunted skills as a boxer and a swordfighter.

Warner Bros. will begin production on "Sherlock Holmes" next month in London. The studio appears to be comfortably ahead in the race against a Judd Apatow-produced Sherlock Holmes comedy set up at Columbia with Sacha Baron Cohen as Holmes and Will Ferrell as Watson.

Several key roles in Ritchie's "Holmes" remain uncast, including main villain Blackwood.

Back in 2004, when Law was heard or seen in seven theatrical releases, the actors prolific nature was subject to occasional jokes. With the box office disappointments of "Sleuth" and "My Blueberry Nights" and "Breaking and Entering" and "All the King's Men," many viewers may feel like they haven't see Law for a while. His upcoming credits include "Repossession Mambo" and "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus."