At this point, very little is really known about the SHERLOCK HOLMES sequel, other than that both Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law will be returning, and that Moriarty will be the villain. Now that filming is quickly approaching, facts are starting to come out regarding the big follow-up. One of these facts is that Rachel McAdams will return, but in a much smaller capacity.
According to Joel Silver, producer extraordinaire on SHERLOCK HOLMES, says that she’ll be back but she won’t be a leading lady this time. From the sound of it, it will still be more than a cameo though. With as much as I enjoyed her character in the original film, I’m okay with her coming back in any capacity.
The next big hurdle for the film, is who they will cast for Moriarty. One of the main parts of the original’s success was the perfect casting of Mark Strong as the villain. Original rumors were that the director Guy Ritchie was interested in casting Brad Pitt in the role, but we haven’t heard much from that since. Hopefully we’ll hear more casting information very soon.
Source: Syfy
John Mulhern Writes 
I've said it before, I'll keep saying it until someone with any pull listens, Blackwood (who I'm not convinced actually died, since they went to pains to show us that he escaped the noose once before) should turn out to be Moriarty. (Yes, I've seen Young Sherlock Holmes…where do you think I got the idea) Mark Strong would make the perfect Moriarty. Frankly, I'm surprised at Guy Ritchie for not thinking it through and waiting for the sequel to use Strong. Blackwood was far too small a part. However, having said all that, as long as he doesn't cast Brad Pitt, I'll be okay.
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I've said it before, I'll keep saying it until someone with any pull listens, Blackwood (who I'm not convinced actually died, since they went to pains to show us that he escaped the noose once before) should turn out to be Moriarty. (Yes, I've seen Young Sherlock Holmes…where do you think I got the idea) Mark Strong would make the perfect Moriarty. Frankly, I'm surprised at Guy Ritchie for not thinking it through and waiting for the sequel to use Strong. Blackwood was far too small a part. However, having said all that, as long as he doesn't cast Brad Pitt, I'll be okay.
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That is a very interesting idea, could be pretty cool.I'm not sure how likely it is though. I would really like to see them step it up even bigger for the second film. Strong was great, but they need to go all out for this next one.
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Yeah, I don't think it's very likely either. It's a pipedream lol. And I agree, the expectations for a sequel are always much higher and everything about it needs to be more, bigger, better. I hope Ritchie kills it, no matter who he gets for his villain, and he makes a big enough pile of cash to finance the sequel to RocknRolla! (Yeah, right…damn it.)
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Agreed. They need to cast some really great established actor I think. That would help a lot.
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Yeah, I don't think it's very likely either. It's a pipedream lol. And I agree, the expectations for a sequel are always much higher and everything about it needs to be more, bigger, better. I hope Ritchie kills it, no matter who he gets for his villain, and he makes a big enough pile of cash to finance the sequel to RocknRolla! (Yeah, right…damn it.)
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Agreed. They need to cast some really great established actor I think. That would help a lot.
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