Breaking: Brad Pitt in talks to star as Moriarty in 'Sherlock Holmes' sequel

Is Brad Pitt enjoying starring in action-adventure and comedy flicks such as "Inglourious Basterds" and "Burn After Reading"?  It appears so. 

The "Ocean's Eleven" star has had his share of serious work the past few years with "Babel," "The Assassination of Jesse James" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" as well as the upcoming Terrence Malik epic "The Tree of Life."  Now, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Pitt is in talks to play the villainous Moriarty in a planned sequel to "Sherlock Holmes."

Directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Robert Downey, Jr. as the title character and Jude Law as his buddy in mystery Watson, "Holmes" is poised to be one of the biggest hits of the upcoming holiday season and Warner Bros. is smartly getting a second installment quickly into development.  The studio is already preparing to bring on the screenwriting team of Kieran and Michele Mulroney (the upcoming "Justice League: Mortal") to write the new flick.  

The whole cast, including Rachel McAdams as Holmes' love interest Irene Adler, is expected to return as well as Ritchie to helm.

Rumors have been circulating that Pitt will play Moriarity in the first movie appearing only in shadow, but neither Pitt, Ritchie or producer Joel Silver has confirmed the cameo at this time.

"Sherlock Homes" opens nationwide on Dec. 25.