Sherlock and The Hobbit star Martin Freeman has joined the cast of Marvel's Captain America: Civil War.

It is not yet known who he will play in the film - the third instalment of the superhero franchise - which is due for release in May 2016.

Marvel said they had been "consistently impressed" and were "honoured and excited to have such a talented actor join the Marvel Cinematic Universe."

Freeman won an Emmy Award and a Bafta for playing Dr John Watson in Sherlock.

Captain America: Civil War will pick up the story from the end of current blockbuster Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Freeman, 43, whose breakthrough role came alongside Ricky Gervais in BBC comedy The Office, has more recently played Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit trilogy.

Source: Press Release