Thumbnail for 5129

Ian McKellen stars in first image from Mr. Holmes

The first image has arrived online from Bill Condon’s Mr. Holmes, in which Ian McKellen stars as legendary sleuth, Sherlock Holmes, in the twilight of his career.

The image was posted via McKellen’s Twitter account, and shows the great detective with a few more age spots, but looking just as canny as ever.

“Over 70 actors have previously played Sherlock Holmes,” says McKellen in the accompanying caption. “Now he’s 93 years old and it’s my turn.”

The new film will be set in 1947, where Holmes is living in retirement alongside his housekeeper and her son, an amateur sleuth himself.

Haunted by a cold case from his past, he’s tempted out of retirement for one last go-around, albeit without the assistance of his old assistant, Dr. Watson.

Directed by Condon and co-starring Laura Linney and Zak Shukor, Mr. Holmes will open in the UK in 2015, with an exact release date yet to be determined.