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Middle-earth to Marvel: Martin Freeman joins 'Captain America: Civil War'

The "Hobbit" star follows his "Sherlock" buddy Benedict Cumberbatch into the world of Marvel movies.

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Richard Trenholm Former Movie and TV Senior Editor
Richard Trenholm was CNET's film and TV editor, covering the big screen, small screen and streaming. A member of the Film Critic's Circle, he's covered technology and culture from London's tech scene to Europe's refugee camps to the Sundance film festival.
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Richard Trenholm
2 min read

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Martin Freeman says hello to the Marvel universe. NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Bilbo Baggins has set off on his next unexpected journey: Martin Freeman has joined the cast of Marvel's "Captain America: Civil War".

Currently shooting in Georgia, Puerto Rico and Germany, "Civil War" will be the third movie from Marvel headlined by Chris Evans as comic book hero Captain America, after "The First Avenger" in 2011 and "The Winter Soldier" in 2014. Freeman's role in the movie has not been specified.

Farewell to Middle-earth: celebrate 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' (pictures)

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British actor Freeman is best known as Bilbo Baggins in "The Hobbit" trilogy and Dr. Watson to Benedict Cumberbatch's Holmes in "Sherlock", for which he has won both an Emmy and a BAFTA. Cumberbatch is also set to appear in the Marvel universe next year when he headlines a film as magician Doctor Strange.

Freeman was also nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance in the "Fargo" TV series, and a BAFTA for his role as Tim in the original UK version of "The Office". Let's hope he doesn't hide Cap's shield in jelly...

"Civil War" adapts the 2006 comic storyline written by " Kingsman" and "Kick-Ass" scribe Mark Millar that pits Avenger against Avenger and hero against hero when the government forces superheroes to register with the authorities. Captain America leads a faction opposed to the system while Iron Man supports it; superpowered punch-ups ensue.

The film will feature several other stars of the Marvel movies last seen in " Avengers: Age of Ultron", including Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye. The film will also be the first outing for Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther, who's set to get his own movie in 2018.

The comic saw Spider-Man caught in the middle, revealing his identity to the world. With Spider-Man now available to Marvel to use in their movies, your friendly neighbourhood webslinger may appear in the film. Seeing as I can't see Martin Freeman in Spider-spandex, I'm going to wildly speculate he may instead play a politician involved in the registration act.

We'll find out in exactly a year: "Captain America: Civil War" hits theaters in on 6 May 2016.

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