BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH may now be a global A-lister thanks to his turn as super-sleuth Sherlock Holmes – but it looks as though he may have competition in…Will Ferrell.

The 49-year-old funny man was spotted looking rather familiar in Victorian dress on the streets of London today – as he started work on new movie, Holmes and Watson.

20 Will Ferrell has arrived in London to tackle the role of Sherlock Holmes Credit: Fame Flynet

20 The 49-year-old comedian has started filming his new film in London Credit: Fame Flynet

20 The actor is heading back to the 20s for a comedic turn of Sherlock's story Credit: Fame Flynet

Ferrell will be taking on the lead role of the troubled detective in a ‘humorous take on Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic mysteries’, according to IMDb.

He was joined by his long-time collaborator, John C Reilly, who is partnering up with him again as his faithful sidekick, John Watson.

20 John C Reilly will play faithful sidekick home Credit: Fame Flynet

20 John and Will have collaborated together on several successful films Credit: Fame Flynet

20 Will is playing the fourth incarnation of the super sleuth in ten years Credit: Fame Flynet

John looked suited and booted – complete with bowler hat and moustache – for the days filming, but things seem to go awry for the pair as they shot they ended up being thrown into the air and land face down on the floor during the scene.

John and Will have had a long-standing working relationship – having previously worked together on Stepbrothers in 2008 and Talladega Nights in 2006.

20 Sherlock looks like he'll be getting into more trouble in Holmes and Watson Credit: Fame Flynet

20 The Holmes and Watson film will be released in 2018 Credit: Fame Flynet

20 Sacha Baron Cohen was originally meant to star alongside Will but he pulled out Credit: Fame Flynet

The pair will be joined by a host of English A-Listers for the new film, including Trainspotting’s Kelly McDonald as faithful housemaid Mrs Hudson, Rebecca Hall as Dr. Grace Hart, and Gavin and Stacey’s Rob Brydon as Inspector Lestrade.

Sacha Baron Cohen was originally pencilled in as Will Ferrell’s right hand man, but he later pulled out.

20 John C Reilly and his stunt double were spotted rehearsing a scene in London Credit: Fame Flynet

20 The production team turned back time in London to the 1920s for the shoot Credit: Fame Flynet

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20 Will is most known as the stubborn news host Ron Burgundy Credit: Fame Flynet

The latest incarnation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famed creation, due to be released in 2018, will be the fourth interpretation of Sherlock in the past ten years.

In the U.S, Jonny Lee Miller takes on the role of the drug addicted smart-alec in a reinterpretation of the show that relocates the detective to New York and John Watson is renamed Joan Watson and played by Lucy Liu.

20 John C Reilly's version of Watson follows Martin Freeman, Jude Law and Lucy Liu in the role Credit: Fame Flynet

20 It appears Watson and Holmes aren't getting along as well in this world as they do in others Credit: Fame Flynet

20 Sherlock still appears to be as quirky as he's always seen Credit: Fame Flynet

Robert Downey Junior and Jude Law also took on the roles of Holmes and Watson respectively in two Guy Ritchie-directed blockbuster films that were hits in 2009 and 2011.

However, most notably, the BBC version of the show, created by Steven Moffatt, launched the career of Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman into the mainstream.

Sherlock has just started its fourth season to mixed reviews from fans – and left viewers shocked with an expected death of a main character that threatens the dynamic of the rest of the group.

20 Will looks dapper in his Sherlock costume - complete with wavy hair Credit: Fame Flynet

20 John is once again playing Will's faithful sidekick Credit: Fame Flynet

20 The star will bring Sherlock to the silver screen in 2018 Credit: Fame Flynet

Talking to TV Magazine, Martin Freeman, who plays John Watson in the BBC interpretation, said: “There were a couple of times with this series that I’ve been walking round the kitchen an hour after reading the script, I’ll put the kettle on and just think: ‘F***ing hell!’”

He added: “I’ve been in a daze from reading a script so good that I can’t quite believe it.”

20 The normally bubbly actor looked downcast as he prepared to shoot

20 The pair will be joined by a pair of famed English actors Credit: Fame Flynet

“I can’t wait for you all to see it,” beams Amanda Abbington, who plays Martin’s on-screen wife, Mary Watson.

“I hope Benedict and Martin are bigging up this series as much as I am because it is really, really good. Sherlock fans will be floored.”

Benedict, 40, does his best to keep a lid on things in a professional way and avoids leaking any spoilers, but even he can barely contain his excitement.

“I’m allowed to tell you that there are a huge number of pay-offs,” he hints.

The new series continues on BBC1, 9pm on Sunday.

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