VIDEO: Robert Downey. Jr. Does Drag For 'Sherlock Holmes' Sequel

After Guy Ritchie's first take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes (2009) series took in over $500 million at the box office, it was obvious that a sequel was in the offing. And fans’ prayers have been answered. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows hits theaters this December, and the trailer, recently released on Apple, shows the movie will be as packed with wit and action as the last one.

Robert Downey, Jr. is back as the charming super sleuth, donning not only a British accent and his trademark wit, but also drag (at least for most of the trailer, the rest of which he spends in fist fights). Jude Law also reprises his role as Holmes’ sidekick Dr. Watson.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’s breakout star Noomi Rapace plays the film's central gypsy mystery woman, and Stephen Fry plays Holmes’ elder brother Mycroft (although we don’t see him in the trailer). The villain this time is Mad Men star Jared Harris, who plays Holmes’ infamous nemesis Professor Moriarty.

The sequel is apparently loosely based on the author's famous short story The Final Problem. Holmes fans will be aware of its status in the series: without revealing anything, it's an eventful outing for the detective, and the one in the readers first meet Moriarty.

Watch the trailer here: