Update: Empire has confirmed with Guy Ritchie that the Sun’s report is FALSE: “I don’t have a Watson,” said Ritchie. “Somebody just told me that I have Russell Crowe lined up but that’s news to me. I suspect that hasn’t happened and I’m still looking for my Watson.” The original report follows.

As you already know, Robert Downey Jr. has signed on to star as Sherlock Holmes in Guy Ritchie’s upcoming action-tinted adaptation of the classic detective. The Sun is now reporting a rumor that Russell Crowe might be in line to play Holmes’ sidekick Dr. Watson. According to the report, when Ridley Scott’s Nottingham was put on the back burner, a spot opened in Crowe’s schedule. A movie insider told the Sun:

“Russell wants the part, Guy wants Russell. All they’ve got left to do is dot the i’s and cross the t’s.”

Again, let me remind you that The Sun doesn’t exactly have a great track record when it comes to the rumor department. But every once in a while they get something juicy. Watson appeared in 52 of the 56 original short stories and all four novels, as a friend, assistant and biographer of the great detective.

Discuss: What do you think about Russell Crowe as Dr. Watson?