Russo brothers admit they dropped the ball with missed Sherlock reference in Infinity War

Fans knew there was a perfect moment to make a Sherlock Holmes joke in Infinity War. The Russo brothers admitted they wanted to do it, but ended up cutting the joke.

Joe and Anthony had the perfect set up for an absolutely perfect joke in Infinity War, and they completed threw away their shot. With Robert Downey Jr. and Benedict Cumberbatch appearing in the movie together, who both play different versions of Sherlock Holmes, fans were hopeful that a “No sh*t, Sherlock” joke would be thrown in at some point.

Alas, within the whole 2 hour and 30-minute runtime, no such joke occurred. It was certainly a missed opportunity, but the ability to make that joke wasn’t totally lost on the directors.

In the directors’ commentary for Infinity War, the Russo brothers mentioned they reall did consider adding the joke into the movie.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, one of the brothers noted: “I should’ve said, ‘No sh*t, Sherlock. Everybody really wanted that joke.”  While the other brother added: “It’s a meta joke that requires you to be a fan of other movies.”

That joke would have most likely happened at the scene in the park where Stephen Strange first approaches Tony Stark and Pepper Pots. It seems more like a quip Tony would have delightfully said in response to Strange, but it could have worked out just as well with the roles reversed. Unfortunately, the brothers decided the joke would be “too much,” as THR mentions.

The first Russo brother added, “It is also a very obvious joke. Not that we can’t be accused of having made obvious jokes before.”

While they might have cut the obvious Sherlock Holmes-related joke, there might still be an actual Holmes Easter egg in the film. During a scene where the two are preparing to fight, Tony asks Strange “Do you concur, Doctor?” — a phrase Holmes fanatics might recognize as one often asked by Sherlock Holmes to Dr. Watson. It’s a less obvious kind of joke (if it was even intentional at all), but one only true Holmes can get a laugh out of.

All we’re saying is, the Russo brothers have one more chance to get things right. Not only do you have Robert Downey Jr. and Benedict Cumberbatch in the MCU, you’ve also got Jude Law (Captain Marvel)  and Martin Freeman (Black Panther), who play each person’s respective Watson.

Imagine the possibilities: two Holmes and Watsons in the same movie. We’re just asking the Russo brothers or any other Marvel directors to consider it in the future.