Sherlock Holmes aka Benedict Cumberbatch joins 'The Hobbit'

By Anthony Pearson May 23, 2011, 12:11 GMT

Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes on BBC\'s "Sherlock." Season 2 will air later this year in the UK.

Yet more casting news from Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit" has been released, with English actor Benedict Cumberbatch joining the cast. The stock of Benedict has rose greatly in the past year starring as Sherlock Holmes on BBC's "Sherlock" and being cast in the lead for Steven Spielberg's First World War drama "War Horse."

"Sherlock" and "Hobbit" co-star Martin Freeman, who plays Bilbo Baggins in the 2 part middle earth fantasy, broke the news of the casting at last nights television BAFTA awards.

While Benedict confirmed he had a part in the movies, he would not disclose the character he will portray.

"I can't say at the moment, thank you very much." He replied when asked by a BBC reporter.

With tongue well in cheek Martin Freeman added to his accidental casting annoucement by saying;

"I knew I was sort of a big mouth but I didn't realise to what extent I was a big mouth, and now I've ruined everything, I might not actually go back to a job, they might have just sacked me."

Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch are currently on a break from production of "The Hobbit" to film the second season of BBCs BAFTA award winning detective drama "Sherlock."

"The Hobbit" is set for release on 2D/3D and 3D IMAX screens across the world from December 2012, with "The Hobbit: Part II" expected December 2013.

"In a hole, in the ground, their lived a hobbit."

"The Hobbit" follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakensheild. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers.

Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever … Gollum.

Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum’s “precious” ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities … A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.