Noomi Rapace told Cinematical that she is playing a gypsy in ‘Sherlock Holmes 2,’ her first Hollywood film. “My character is a gypsy,” Rapace said in an interview Monday in Los Angeles, Calif. “She is a traveler and she’s cool – she’s a bit crazy, but I like her. I’m having a great time. Rapace said that despite the material’s energetic, fun tone, she is doing a lot of research to make sure her character is as authentic as possible.

I’m doing a lot of research about gypsies,” she explained. “I’m going to Paris to visit some gypsy camps, and I’m going to Transylvania to actually see how they live. Because the gypsies are so poor, they live pretty much the same as they did then, and they keep in the traditions and all of that, so when you go to Transylvania, for example, they live pretty close to the way they lived hundreds of years ago. So I’m listening to gypsy music and I’m learning to sing and dance.

The production of Ritchie’s film has largely been shrouded in mystery thus far, protecting its secrets so they can be properly revealed when the film is released on December 16, 2011. But Rapace revealed that the sequel has a similar tone to the first film, and she’s enjoying exploring that kind of creative environment. “It’s really fun,” she said. “I like the guys I’m working with. I think [in ‘Sherlock Holmes 2’], we’re working in that same kind of landscape. They have created some kind of world, and it’s really fun to work with them.”

Consider the Sherlock Holmes 2 news confirmed! Noomi has been photographed on the set today alongside co-stars Robert Downey, jr. and Jude Law as well as director Guy Ritchie. You can find four pictures in the gallery – again with many many thanks to Mariana! :-)

Fry, 53, told the The Danny Baker Show on BBC Radio 5 Live that he would be playing Mycroft Holmes in the forthcoming sequel. He said: ‘I’m playing Mycroft in the sequel to the Sherlock Holmes film Guy Ritchie directed with Robert Downey Jr., and that sort of part is fun.’ The follow-up is set for release in late 2011, and the film will see Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law return as Sherlock and Dr. Watson. Also confirmed to star in the film is Noomi Rapace, the actress who is best known for playing Lisbeth Salander in the Swedish language version of the Millenium Trilogy – the film series which includes The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Noomi Rapace has booked her first English-language role: the plum part of the female lead in Warner Bros.’s “Sherlock Holmes 2.” Guy Ritchie is back as director while Joel Silver, Susan Downey, Lionel Wigram and Dan Lin return as producers. The logline is being kept under wraps, although it is known Holmes will face off against Moriarty. Also making an appearance will be Holmes’ brother, Mycroft. Rapace’s role is shrouded in mystery although sources say the character may be a French Gypsy. It is unclear if the role is romantic in nature. Warners is looking to start production later this year. Off the strength of her breakthrough performance in the Swedish-language “Tattoo,” Rapace snagged representation with UTA and Magnolia Entertainment. She made a well-publicized trip to LA mid-August, meeting with top producers and directors to discuss making an entry into the American film scene. “Holmes 2” is the first acting gig to come to fruition from those meetings.