Martin Freeman joins Marvel Universe with unspecified role in Captain America: Civil War

Freeman will appear in the film before the release of Doctor Strange, starring his Sherlock co-star Benedict Cumberbatch

Martin Freeman (Getty Images)

He’s an unlikely superhero figure - but now Martin Freeman will be swapping his Hobbit cloak for a cape in Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War.

It is not yet known which character Freeman will play, so there is every chance he could reprise his usual role as the hapless second in command.

The film’s producer Kevin Feige said he had been “consistently impressed” by Freeman’s dramatic range in both drama and comedies.

In a statement on its website, Marvel said: “We couldn’t be more honoured or excited to have such a talented actor join the Marvel Cinematic Universe.”

Martin Freeman reprises his role as Bilbo Baggins (Warner Bros)

The 43-year-old will follow in the footsteps of his Sherlock co-star Benedict Cumberbatch, who has been announced as the lead in Doctor Strange, which follows the release of Captain America: Civil War next year.

Freeman rose to fame playing the unassuming paper merchant employee Tim Canterbury in BBC comedy series The Office from 2001-2003.

He went on to star in Love Actually, Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, before being cast as Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit trilogy.

His turn in the BBC’s hit drama series Sherlock has boosted his career further, earning him fans across the world - and the nickname “Peanut” in China.

Captain America: Civil War is released in UK cinemas on 29 April 2016.

Read more: Martin Freeman on hobbits, Cumbermania and Nazi-hounding in The Eichmann Show