Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law acquitted themselves nicely as Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson, respectively, in 2009's Sherlock Holmes, thwarting the diabolical plans of Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong). In the upcoming Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, however, the stakes will be raised, as the pair will face off against their oldest and greatest nemesis: Professor James Moriarty.
Though Moriarty only appeared in two of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories — 1883's The Final Problem (which ended with Holmes and Moriarty falling to their deaths) and 1915's The Valley of Fear, Doyle's final Sherlock Holmes novel — Moriarty is as iconic and as expected character in any Sherlock Holmes franchise as Holmes and Watson. In a recent interview with The Huffington Post, Game of Shadows director Guy Ritchie called the character "the most famous villain in literature."
I can't think of a super-villain in a sort of obvious commercial sense before Moriarty in literature. He really has become the most famous villain in literature, for not doing a great deal, either, by the way. But it is interesting how he's carried so much momentum. He's an elusive character, really, and he gained his equity as much by being elusive as for being potent.
more moriarty >> Posted 12.16.11 by Ryan