Mark Wahlberg and Michael Bay hit the red carpet for the Hollywood premiere of Pain & Gain on Monday night. Wahlberg, who started his film career as an action hero, tough guy, has also proved adept in comedies and hopes to find success with his latest role, that finds him paired up with Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson.

Directed by Bay, Pain & Gain is based on a true story, which sees a trio of personal trainers in 1990s Miami who get caught up in a criminal enterprise that goes horribly wrong.

'I never really looked at it as a comedy,' said Wahlberg.

'I just thought there was so many outrageous things happening you couldn't help but laugh at certain places, which I thought would make it for a more interesting balance. Because of the drama and the suspense of the film, layered that with the comedy and the action, it was just so original.'

The film also stars Ed Harris, Rebel Wilson and Tony Shalhoub and it hits cinemas in the UK on August 28. Report by Mark Morris. .