Robert Downey Jr gave US cinema bosses a sneak preview of his new take on Sherlock Holmes, which turns the cerebral detective into a wisecracking action hero who is handcuffed naked to a bed.

The producer of Guy Ritchie’s forthcoming Sherlock Holmes movie today dismissed talk of competition with a rival offering starring Sacha Baron Cohen.

Joel Silver produces fairly insipid fare with Jane Doe (Metrodome, €24.99).

Producers of Natalie Portman's forthcoming film V For Vendetta have refused to edit out scenes of bombings on the London Underground train network, despite the recent terrorist attacks in the British capital.

Irish actor Stephen Rea is keeping extra busy these days.

THE final instalment of the Matrix sci-fi trilogy has set a new record in its first weekend, making it the biggest global opening film of all time.

Matrix star Keanu Reeves, who earned a reported €32m for the two sequels to The Matrix, has bought a home in the Hollywood Hills for more than €4m, reports the Los Angeles Times.

WASHINGTON and Paris may have their differences over Iraq but the Hollywood stars of The Matrix Reloaded had no argument with France yesterday.

The most hyped movie release of the year came to Cannes today with the European premiere of The Matrix Reloaded.

America is to get a new TV reality show that will search for action film stars.