Since before Guy Ritchie‘s Sherlock Holmes even came out, rumors about who might play the longtime arch nemesis to Holmes, Moriarty, in Sherlock Holmes 2 have been swirling.

The most popular name associated with the role was that of Brad Pitt, who was at one time reported to have joined the film, though the validity of these reports were disputed and denied on numerous occasions. Now comes confirmation that Pitt will not be playing Moriarty, and that Ritchie has found the actor he does want for the role. Mad Men star and son of the legendary Richard Harris, Jared Harris, has been chosen to become the villain and constant opposition of the famed detective Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.).

Harris has been around for quite a while, building an impressive resume. The actor has delivered performances in titles like Happiness, Igby Goes Down, Mr. Deeds, Resident Evil: Apocalypse, Ocean’s Twelve, Lady in the Water, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

Moriarty is the most notable of Holmes’ enemies, considered a criminal mastermind and described by Holmes in the works of author and creator Arthur Conan Doyle as being the Napoleon of crime.

Sherlock Holmes 2 is on course for release on December 16, 2011. Harris joins recent new additions Stephen Fry and Noomi Rapace, as well as returning stars Downey Jr. and Jude Law.

[Source: Latino Review]