Pitt to play 'Holmes' villain Moriarty?

Brad Pitt is reportedly reuniting with director Guy Ritchie to play Professor Moriarty in Sherlock Holmes.

According to The Mirror, Warner Bros executives asked Ritchie to place the character in the movie after Holmes's arch nemesis was absent from the initial cut. Ritchie recruited his Snatch star for the part and will allegedly film Pitt's scenes this week in the UK.

"It's a huge coup to have Brad joining the cast," a source said. "He has worked for Guy before and said if he could, he would do anything to help out. It was an oversight in the film not to make a bigger deal about Moriarty. He is mentioned as Holmes's arch enemy, but the bosses wanted Guy to make more of him."

Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law have already filmed their scenes, but may be asked back for the ten days of additional shooting with Pitt.

"Brad is expected to be filming all over London," added the insider. "Cliveden House has been earmarked as a location for Moriarty’s home. There will be scenes shot at Royal Victoria Dock, Pontoon Docks, Pinewood and Chatham Docks in Kent. And they will be using clips around the City of London to set the scene."

Sherlock Holmes is scheduled for release on December 26, though the tabloid report claims that it has been pushed back "until after Christmas".