According to MTVnews.com, Freeman will join a cast including Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield, Aidan Turner as Kili, Rob Kazinsky as Fili, Graham McTavish as Dwalin, John Callen as Olin, Stephen Hunter as Bombur, Mark Hadlow as Dori and Peter Hambleton as Gloin. It was unclear whether Sir Ian McKellen or Andy Serkis would reprise their roles from the previous films as Gandalf and Gollum, respectively. Freeman may be best known for playing Tim on the original British version of "The Office." He appeared in Clybourne Park at London's Royal Court Theatre, and on screen as Dr. Watson in the series "Sherlock" and in the films "Hot Fuzz" and "Love, Actually," among others.
"The Hobbit" films, based on J.R.R. Tolkien's book about the denizens of Middle Earth, will be directed by Peter Jackson and will be released in December 2012 and December 2013.
