Tom Hardy has said he had to get used to wearing a super-tight mask to play Bane in The Dark Knight Rises.

The 34-year-old was hand-picked by director Christopher Nolan to play the comic book villain, known for his shaved head and headwear which looks like a gas mask.

Speaking at the premiere of his latest film, This Means War, Hardy said: "Bane's mask is tight, actually. I got used to it, but you get used to anything really, in time."

The actor has described the character as "brutal" and "heavy-handed", but said that he had no problem separating himself from the role.

"I didn't get into a dark place at all. A lot of dark characters are easy to have distance from, it's something I feel comfortable with, I suppose."

Hardy added that he enjoyed being silly for his role in romantic comedy This Means War.

"It was nice to do something fun as I always take myself so seriously," he said.