Guy Ritchie has been ordered to reshoot five weeks' worth of scenes from his forthcoming big-screen adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, the Sun reports.

The tabloid says studio Warner Bros is unhappy with the first cut of the film, lambasting one scene in particular as "ridiculously unrealistic".

Somewhat inevitably, the newspaper places the blame at the feet of Ritchie's ex-wife, Madonna. Apparently the couple's divorce "distracted" the Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels director during the filming of the offending scenes.

Sherlock Holmes stars Robert Downey Jr as the sleuth, with Jude Law as his sidekick, Dr Watson. In keeping with Ritchie's past work, it is said to be an all-action affair which flags up Holmes's skills as a boxer and swordsman.

A rival comedic version, starring Sacha Baron Cohen and Will Ferrell as Holmes and Watson, is hoping to beat Ritchie's version to the cinemas. Ritchie's feature had looked to have the head start, but if the Sun's story is true, Ritchie may now struggle to deliver it in time for its scheduled November release.

• This article was amended on Thursday 19 February 2009. Warner Brothers has issued a statement denying that it has ordered reshoots on Sherlock Holmes.