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Robert Downey Jr.'s Sherlock Shocker: Dressing Up Like a Woman Was My Idea

Exclusive! Sherlock Holmes star tells us he was the one behind his cross-dressing moment in the upcoming flick

By Gregory Imler Dec 06, 2011 1:07 AMTags

It's no secret that Robert Downey Jr. dedicates himself to his craft.

In fact he dedicates himself so much that we shouldn't be surprised to hear that dressing up in drag for his role in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows was all his idea, as he tells E! News' own Kristina Guerrero.

So why did the A-lister make the call, and more importantly, what did he think about his appearance?

"I thought I looked like if my sister was training for the Russian Olympics...on steroids," Downey said.

"Here's the dumb thing," he continued. "This was my idea. It was not in the script. I think originally it was a priest, and I said, 'Oh come on, that's dumb...that'll be obvious.' "

But always the professional, he stuck by his decision, and really didn't feel that self-conscious about it...until the day came when he had to hit the set in his costume. "When I walked on set I felt a little self-conscious about the fact that most people knew it was my idea. 'Did Robert want his transvestite day, and did the studio accommodate him?' "

Hey, it's all in the name of making the role better. And given the buzz his latest flick is getting, we think he achieved that goal.

Check out six more clips of Robert and his costar Jude Law in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows