Steve Carell is Brigadier Gerard

Steve Carell is considering starring the upcoming comedy “Brigadier Gerard.” Media Rights Capitalis developing the film and is hoping for a spring 2009 production start.

“King Of The Hill” TV writers John Altshuler and David Krinsky (Blades of Glory) have based the script on short stories originally penned by Sherlock Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Brigadier Gerard, who was the subject of a series of short stories published between December 1894 and September 1903, is to be the subject of a new film starring Steve Carell, who looks to be the perfect choice for the role. Conan Doyle’s creation is a French soldier fighting during the Napoleonic wars, who mistakenly believes he is the bravest soldier and greatest swordsman, horseman and lover in the whole of France.

Producers are currently seeking a director.

Carell plans to star in one or two films during his hiatus after shooting the fifth season of NBC sitcom The Office. Possible candidates are Gerard, Date Night and a possible Get Smart sequel.

Guy Ritchie on “Holmes” and “Rocknrolla”

Guy Ritchie has denied reports that Russell Crowe will appear in his new Sherlock Holmes movie as Dr. Watson - alongside Robert Downey Jr. in the big screen outing for the famous fictional detective.

Speaking at the world premiere of his new movie “RocknRolla” on Monday in London Ritchie said:

“I don’t have a Watson. Somebody just told me that I have Russell Crowe lined up but that’s news to me. I suspect that hasn’t happened and I’m still looking for my Watson.”

Commenting on the movie’s production, he told:

“I’m very happy about it. We’ve got what I’d like to think are some of the best locations in London and with this film I get to show a whole new side to London. I’ve done contemporary and now I won’t be doing that, obviously.”

Ritchie’s new movie will be based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original novels (four novels and 56 short stories).

“It’s going to be an amalgamation of all those narratives,”

says Ritchie.

Ritchie’s “Rocknrolla” opens in UK theaters this Friday, September 5. It will open in US theaters on October 31st.

“It’s the kind of film I like. I’ve made a film for me. My inspiration came from the fact that London has changed so much in the last 10 years,” Guy said of the film he wrote and directed.

He even admitted he has already written the sequel:

“If people go and see this and like it I’ll make the second one straight away.”

Robert Downey Jr. in Sherlock Holmes - Confirmed

Robert Downey Jr. is set to star as the main character in Sherlock Holmes.

The film’s storyline is inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle’s novels and also the “Sherlock Holmes” comics, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Guy Ritchie will direct this Sherlock version for Warner Bros.

The concept sees Holmes as more adventurous and less stuffy than previous screen incarnations and mines more obscure character traits.

Ritchie’s Holmes will begin shooting in October and will have to contend with Columbia’s Sherlock Holmes, a comedy version set to star Sacha Baron Cohen as Holmes and Will Ferrell as Dr. Watson. Judd Apatow is producing the comedy.

Of course, Ritchie’s version will be more serious as they intend to draw from both the literary and comic versions of Holmes