Two upcoming Sherlock Holmes flicks, one featuring Borat

While Ritchie insists that his version will "take advantage of [Holmes's] skills as a boxer and swordsman", the Columbia project looks set to take a more comedic stance. "Just the idea of Sacha and Will as Sherlock Holmes and Watson made us laugh," studio spokesman Matt Tolmach told Variety. "Sacha and Will are two of the funniest and most talented guys on the planet and having them take on these two iconic characters is frankly hilarious." Baron Cohen and Ferrell first collaborated on the 2006 comedy Talladega Nights.

Not content with offending the citizens of Kazakhstan, Sacha Baron Cohen now appears to have targeted Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The Scots-born author must be spinning in his grave at the news that the man best known as Ali-G, Borat and Bruno is to play the role of Sherlock Holmes.

To add insult to injury for Sherlockians worldwide (yes, that's what they call themselves ... ), Dr Watson is to be portrayed by none other than Will Ferrell.

At any rate, we all know that a large proportion of mooted Hollywood projects never see the light of day. I take comfort from that. Moreover, I'm certain a lot of other fans will be wishing that both these projects tumble over the development equivalent of the Reichenbach Falls. Are you one of them?

OMG, this is big…Sacha Baron Cohen is going to light his pipe, and assume the role of none other than Sherlock Holmes.

And, if that wasn’t enough to whet your appetite, Will Ferrell is to play Dr Watson in the as-yet-untitled Columbia Pictures comedy.

The project has only just been announced, but it already peaks on our ‘yay!’ radar of most hotly anticipated flicks over the next few years.