Benedict Cumberbatch and Robert Downey Jr. Discuss Cutting Meta Sherlock Joke from Avengers: Infinity War: “Better to Save That for Fan Fiction”

Nearly seven years following the premiere of Avengers: Infinity War, actor Benedict Cumberbatch disclosed an interesting tidbit: the film had initially included a humorous nod to their shared portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. Cumberbatch famously starred in the BBC’s Sherlock, while Robert Downey Jr.depicted the detective in Sherlock Holmes and its sequel, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. Given their concurrent portrayals, fans frequently speculated about the amusing possibility of these two Sherlocks uniting on-screen amidst their superhero roles within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

As it turned out, Cumberbatch and Downey did share substantial screen time in Avengers: Infinity War, yet the anticipated humor surrounding their Sherlock roles was absent. The irony of their dual presence in the film was not lost on Cumberbatch, who remarked, “We had a gas about being the two Sherlocks on set.”

According to Cumberbatch, the screenplay initially contained a line that humorously referenced their previous roles, specifically stating: “No sh*t, Sherlock.”Nonetheless, this meta-commentary was ultimately excised from the film, with Cumberbatch quipping, “No, no, no. Better to leave that for the fan fiction.”

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These remarks from Cumberbatch offer an intriguing lens through which to evaluate Avengers: Infinity War. While the “No sh*t, Sherlock”quip resonated with audiences, it’s fascinating to learn that it had nearly made the final cut.The MCU is widely recognized for its distinct humor and fan engagement, but it typically steers clear of overt fourth-wall-breaking moments like this one.

Moreover, the decision to omit the joke likely stemmed from a desire to maintain the film’s tone, keeping it more serious and grounded—an intention reflected in Cumberbatch’s sincere recognition of superhero cinema as “the modern myths of our times.”

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In retrospect, Cumberbatch and Downey made a prudent choice to exclude the Sherlock joke. Despite their popularity in those roles, the characters they embodied in the MCU should remain distinct.Blunt comments such as “No sh*t, Sherlock”could easily feel out of place within the Marvel narrative, with the exception of characters like Deadpool who often break conventional boundaries.

Furthermore, Avengers: Infinity War stands out as one of the more dramatic and action-intense entries in the Marvel lineup. While humor does permeate the film, Cumberbatch’s assessment holds true: it isn’t the type of movie that turns to the audience and delivers a wink with acknowledgment of its inside jokes.

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