It has been confirmed that Benedict Cumberbatch, who stars as Sherlock Holmes in Steven Moffat’s hit television drama ‘Sherlock’, will be voicing the part of the dragon Smaug in the much anticipated 2012 film adaptation of ‘The Hobbit’.

Before the confirmation of who Benedict would be playing was announced, Ian McKellen said: “The cat is out of the bag. The actor is named. The latest recruit to the Jackson troops is the superb Benedict Cumberbatch, Sherlock Holmes to Bilbo’s Watson. Martin Freeman let it slip when he picked up his BAFTA. Martin told me he was “chuffed” about the prize. So was the entire crew back here in Wellington; and about Benedict.”

As well as providing the voice for Smaug, Cumberbatch’s facial and physical expressions will be mo-capped for the animated version of the dragon. Other actors confirmed for the film include Sherlock's other star, Martin Freeman, and Doctor Who's Sylvester McCoy.

Thanks to Harry Saxon for letting us know! Source