Warner Bros. has hired Lionel Wigram to produce an adaptation of his own forthcoming comicbook SHERLOCK HOLMES, VARIETY reports. THE DESCENT helmer Neil Marshall will direct the film, which will be written by Michael Johnson.

The plot is being kept quiet, but it will revamp Holmes and Dr. Watson in a more darker fashion ala what BATMAN BEGINS did for that comic franchise. Wigram's version of the character plays up some of the sleuth's more adventurous qualities like his bare-knuckle boxing and swordsman skills.

Warners and Wigram have gone to the Arthur Conan Doyle estate to work closely with them on the project.