'Dark Knight Rises' Tom Hardy: 'Bane is f***ing cool'

Tom Hardy has revealed that fans will not be disappointed by Christopher Nolan's third and final Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises.

Hardy, who will appear as super-villain Bane, said that it was not a difficult decision agreeing to sign on to Nolan's project.

"Hang on a minute," Hardy told Total Film about Nolan's phone call. "You're asking me to come round the world with you in a Batman movie, playing a villain, and the only downside to it is I have to wear a mask? Hmmm, let me think. I'll get back to you… No, I'm f**king there, man! Anything you need."

Hardy gave little away about the film's details, but reassured Batman fans that it will not be a disappointment.

He said: "All I can say is that Chris has a plan up his sleeve that's not at all disappointing. And that is a definite choice that's watertight in every respect.

"I think Bane's f**king cool so I'm really excited to play him. It's not the guy in Joel Schumacher's film, but it shouldn't disappoint fanboys."

Speaking about whether he has any worries about competing with Heath Ledger's Oscar-winning performance in The Dark Knight, he added: "No, none at all.

"Brilliant actor, brilliant work - that's it. I've got a job to do. It's the same with Mad Max and Mel Gibson. I'm not here to engage in a competition with their talent. It's to play the character that I've been given."

Tom Hardy is rumoured to be playing notorious gangster Al Capone in crime film Cicero.

The Dark Knight Rises arrives in cinemas on July 20, 2012.

> The Dark Knight Rises Bane, Batman scenes teased - video

Watch the first trailer for The Dark Knight Rises below: