Sometimes there are great blockbusters that perform well at the box office, get good critical and fan reception, yet still have unsure futures. Guy Ritchie‘s Sherlock Holmes series, led by Robert Downey, Jr. as the titular character with Jude Law as his acute partner Dr. John Watson, unfortunately seemed like it would fall into that category. The first film, Sherlock Holmes, was released back in 2009 to generally good reception, followed by 2011’s A Game of Shadows. Now, five years have passed and the only details given about a possible third installment were hopeful wishes from its two leading men.

The latest reports had stated that Iron Man 3 co-writer Drew Pearce was working on the screenplay, but there was no word about Ritchie returning to helm the sequel. But in an interview with Shortlist, Downey, Jr. stated that big plans for the film are already forming.

We’re talking about it right now. NOW. I can’t wait… I know Guy Ritchie loves me as much as I love him – and he damn well should. When we’re making those Sherlock movies it is off the hook. We’ll attempt to make one this year. It really is a big deal to go and do those movies. I’m tired all the time, but I’m excited about it.

Ritchie has Knights of the Roundtable: King Arthur slated for release in 2017, following his criminally underrated spy comedy The Man From U.N.C.L.E. last year, but he has not yet announced his next project. This could work splendidly if Sherlock Holmes 3 did become a reality. Downey, Jr.’s hopeful comments, not to mention his increasingly powerful spot in Hollywood these days, could help get the sequel of the ground. He has Captain America: Civil War hitting theaters next month, along with many other potentially epic projects lined up, so hopefully there will be enough space in everyone’s schedule to fit this one in.

There’s a large fanbase for the Sherlock Holmes series, both films having grossed over $500 million worldwide. The dynamite trio of Ritchie, Law, and Downey, Jr. makes for a compelling case for Warner Bros. to give the green light, and if so we could be getting a production date for sometime late this year.