Curse of Sherlock hits Dockyard filming
10:44, 03 December 2008
It's elementary my dear Watson... That’s what Sherlock Holmes would have said about the strange goings on set of the new film, shot in part at Chatham’s Historic Dockyard.
The new Warner Bros film, which is being directed by Madonna's recent ex Guy Ritchie, seemed to be jinxed last week after a string of accidents.
The first mishap happened during overnight filming when star Robert Downey JR was knocked out by a 7ft wrestler.
The Iron Man actor, was apparently 'out cold’ with blood oozing from his mouth after the wrestler accidentally caught him on the chin. He needed six stitches.
Then just days later during a delivery of diesel a small fire broke out on set and filming was brought to a halt.
Scenes for the production were being shot late at night in Covered Slip 7, which was also transformed into an 1890s shipyard.
A source said: “There was no stand-in for Robert Downey Jr and he was accidentally punched in the mouth and needed six stitches.
“There was also a small fire on the set. Some diesel was being delivered in small bowser ( mobile tanker) for the generators on the set.
A small amount was spilled and it caught fire, but was quickly stamped out. It was all over in a few seconds.”
Filming at the Historic Dockyard has now been completed.
The film is due for release in November 2009.