May 06, 2015 02:03 PM EDT
Martin Freeman Marvel: Bilbo Baggins Joins MCU On ‘Captain America: Civil War’ … Like ‘Sherlock’ Co-Star Benedict Cumberbatch!

As "Avengers: Age of Ultron" keeps breaking box-office records since its domestic release last weekend, production for next year's "Captain America" sequel begins, and following the recent announcement that German-Catalan actor Daniel Brühl would be playing a villain in the film, now it's the turn for another casting announcement: Martin Freeman at Marvel!

Since the launch of the popular BBC modern-day adaptation to sir Arthur Conan Doyle's character, "Sherlock," its two stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Freeman have gained worldwide recognition, taking some big roles in major productions, now including Martin Freeman in Marvel.

According to The Independent, Martin Freeman's Marvel appearance was confirmed earlier this week, though there's still no information as to which character the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" actor would be playing.

"From his roles as Bilbo Baggins and Doctor Watson to Tim in 'The Office,' Martin's range from the dramatic to the comedic has consistently impressed us," said producer Kevin Feige in a statement, announcing Martin Freeman's Marvel addition. "We couldn't be more honored or excited to have such a talented actor join the Marvel Cinematic Universe."

Interestingly enough, Martin Freeman's Marvel appearance would mark the second "Sherlock" star who signs up to appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as Cumberbatch himself was announced in the role of Doctor Strange in a film set for a fall 2016 release; however, Freeman would make his first appearance in the MCU before, as "Captain America: Civil War" will come out in the spring of that same year.

While it's unclear whether Cumberbatch and Freeman would be sharing the screen, it'll mark the third time both actors appear in the same "universe" after their Emmy-winning BBC performances and "The Hobbit" trilogy (where Freeman plays Bilbo Baggins and Cumberbatch voices Smaug and the Necromancer).

Martin Freeman's Marvel debut will come in "Captain America: Civil War," which will be released in exactly one year on May 6, 2016 - and it's unclear how many films there are on his Marvel contract.

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