Martin Freeman joins Marvel's Captain America: Civil War

From Wernham Hogg to The Desolation of Smaug, Martin Freeman's rise to Hollywood stardom has been unconventional to say the least.

And if you think the likeable everyman is satisfied with just one major film franchise, think again - he's now joined the cast of Captain America: Civil War, joining his old pal and Sherlock co-star Benedict Cumberbatch in the Marvel universe, who's set to play Doctor Strange in the near future.

Marvel honcho Kevin Fiege said of Freeman's casting: "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 honoured or excited to have such a talented actor join the Marvel Cinematic Universe."

While little is known about his character – or, crucially, whether he’s a goodie or a baddie - we do at least know the basic premise of the film: set directly after the events of Age of Ultron, the world’s governments pass an act to regulate superhuman activity, in turn polarising opinion and causing the Avengers to choose sides between Robert Downey Jr's Iron Man and Chris Evan's Cap in another epic rumble of city-flattening proportions.

We can hear architects weeping already. 

Captain America: Civil War will be out in cinemas 6 May, 2016