Producer Joel Silver has confirmed that "Sherlock Holmes 3" is underway, with production starting this coming fall. It is also hinted that the franchise may expand to more than a trilogy.

In an interview with Collider, Silver revealed that a follow-up to the 2011 film "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" was already on the table as early as four years ago. However, it seems that production has had problems with the schedule of stars Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. Director Guy Ritchie is also busy and is at the moment helming the post-production for "Knights of the Round Table: King Arthur" for Warner Bros.

However, Downey Jr. recently teased that "Sherlock Holmes 3" may eventually begin shooting this year. The producer confirmed this, as Silver stated, "It looks like it could happen this fall. Downey said he wants to do it. He's gotta launch into another 'Avengers' movie, right after the New Year, so we're trying to get it done. We have a script that we like. Jude [Law] is available and Downey is available, and we're hoping we can get it done."

Meanwhile, Silver added another detail to the confirmation. The producer went on to explain that the franchise may go the way of the "Bond" films and spawn more sequels. The producer added, "As long as there's a character, we can work with it. It's not an end story. We can keep going, as long as people want to do it. It's [the actor's] call. They have to say, 'Okay, I'm ready to go.'"

Continuing the "Sherlock Holmes" franchise is certainly a win-win situation for the producer. Launched in 2009 with the original "Sherlock Holmes," the film took in $524 million worldwide, a good enough figure for a $90 million-budget movie. Meanwhile, its sequel, "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" netted $545.4 million worldwide in sales.