Martin Freeman and Richard Armitage join The Hobbit cast

MARTIN Freeman and Richard Armitage are set to join the cast of Peter Jackson’s two-part film adaptation of The Hobbit.

After days of rumours, New Line confirmed that Sherlock star Freeman will play Bilbo Baggins in the project, while Armitage, who stars in hit series Spooks as well as Captain America: The 1st Avenger, is set to play Thorin Oakenshield, the leader of the Company of Dwarves.

New Line has also confirmed several other casting names in a bid to dispel further rumours surrounding who will or will not appear – many of whom will play key roles of as part of the Company of Dwarves.

Aidan Turner (of Being Human) and Rob Kazinsky (EastEnders) will play Kili and Fili, respectively, while Graham McTavish (Secretariat, 24), stars as Dwalin, John Callen is Oin, Stephen Hunter is Bombur, Mark Hadlow is Dori and Peter Hambleton is Gloin.

As yet, there's no official word on who will play Elrond the sage, Beorn and Bard the Bowman, or who will voice the dragon. But both Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis are expected to return as, respectively, Gandalf and Gollum.