Martin Freeman, star of The Hobbit, Sherlock, and Fargo, among countless other things, has joined 2016’s Captain America: Civil War in an unspecified role.
In a statement released through Marvel Studios, MCU head honcho Kevin Feige said, “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. We couldn’t be more honored or excited to have such a talented actor join the Marvel Cinematic Universe.”
This isn’t the first time Marvel has poached from the talented roster of BBC actors: Tom Hiddleston’s role of Loki, brother of Thor, proved to be a defining role, while Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch is set to play the titular character in Dr. Strange.
Freeman seems less suited for a hero role, though he pulled it off admirably over nine hours in the Hobbit video game — ahem — I mean movies. My guess is that he’ll play a politician with a significant role in the passing of the Superhero Registration Act, the catalyst for factions of heroes to side with either Iron Man or Captain America and set off conflict among the ranks of the Avengers. Spider-man is also set to be introduced in Captain America: Civil War, so maybe Freeman will play Aunt May. He’s very talented.
The film, directed by The Russo Brothers, will also star Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Daniel Brühl, and whoever is cast as Spider-man, among many others, and is due out May 6th, 2016.
