To celebrate release of the motion picture Sherlock Holmes, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, Warner Bros. Pictures has unveiled the unique two-player on-line experience “221B.” The adventure is to be played in the eight weeks leading up to the launch of the movie across the UK on Boxing Day, 26th December 2009.

Players can immerse themselves in the world of the new Sherlock Holmes movie with unique, free to all, on-line adventure at www.221B.sh

In “221B,” players team up as Holmes and Watson, who together will chase villains, interact with other characters from the movie, explore locations and make deductions as they journey through eight chapters of intrigue and mystery, concluding in a segue into the start of the movie. Played online, free of charge to all, the rich audio-visual experience brings alive the 1890s London of Guy Ritchie’s film by blending cutting-edge technology, exquisite design and a world of unique content, drawn from exclusive access granted to the cast, crew and locations during the making of the movie itself. It will also allow fans a special preview look into the world of “Sherlock Holmes” prior to its worldwide in-cinema debut.

Sue Kroll, President, Warner Bros. Pictures Worldwide Marketing, said: “Due to the iconic stature of Sherlock Holmes across the globe, we wanted to offer moviegoers the opportunity to enter Holmes’ world. In addition to seeing the movie’s trailers and other content, fans can actually interact as one of the main characters and test the same skills that Holmes and Watson need in the movie, using the most stunning new technology available.”

“221B,” named after Sherlock Holmes’ famous house on Baker St, London, uses Facebook integration to allow players to share their successes with their network of friends as they progress through the game, and includes a series of firsts. These include an innovative natural language processing system which allows players to interrogate suspects by putting their own questions to characters in the game, and interactive crime scenes created using 3D Photosynth visualizations, where players can zoom in to see the smallest of details and find crucial hidden pieces of evidence. Action-loving players will also be able to chase thugs, pick locks and follow trails in a range of Flash mini-challenges designed to test their dexterity and puzzle-solving skills.

About the movie

In a dynamic new portrayal of Conan Doyle’s famous characters, “Sherlock Holmes” sends Holmes and his stalwart partner Watson on their latest challenge. Revealing fighting skills as lethal as his legendary intellect, Holmes will battle as never before to bring down a new nemesis and unravel a deadly plot that could destroy the country. Robert Downey Jr. brings the legendary detective to life as he has never been portrayed before. Jude Law stars as Holmes’ trusted colleague, Watson, a doctor and war veteran who is a formidable ally for Sherlock Holmes. Rachel McAdams stars as Irene Adler, the only woman ever to have bested Holmes and who has maintained a tempestuous relationship with the detective. Mark Strong stars as their mysterious new adversary, Blackwood. Kelly Reilly plays Watson’s love interest, Mary.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a Silver Pictures Production, in association with Wigram Productions, a Guy Ritchie Film, Sherlock Holmes. With a screenplay by Michael Robert Johnson and Anthony Peckham and Simon Kinberg, screen story by Lionel Wigram and Michael Robert Johnson, the film is directed by Guy Ritchie and produced by Joel Silver, Lionel Wigram, Susan Downey and Dan Lin. Michael Tadross and Bruce Berman serve as executive producers.

Sherlock Holmes will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.