"The Dark Knight Rises" will be an "extraordinary experience": Matthew Modine

(CBS News) Matthew Modine had one strict rule on and off the set of "The Dark Knight Rises" -- to keep his mouth shut.

The 53-year-old actor stars in the Christopher Nolan-directed film, out Friday, but not much is known about his role. His character's name is listed as "Deputy Commissioner Foley" on IMDB, and paparazzi shots show Modine in uniform, but neither of those clues shed much light on the "Full Metal Jacket" star's latest role.

Pictures: The New York premiere
Pictures: "The Dark Knight Rises"

"There hasn't been too much talked about it because I can't talk about it," Modine said during a recent visit to CBSNews.com. "I can't tell you much about my role because I had to agree not to talk about it. But what I can say about this film is -- it is going to be an extraordinary experience."

That leaves us with more questions than answers, but Modine likes it that way.

"My not talking about the role that I'm playing makes it sound more intriguing and more powerful than it might actually be," Modine continued. "I'm just really happy that Christopher Nolan invited me to be on the boat. It's such a tremendous cast."

That star-studded cast includes Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and Marion Cotillard.

It's not only Modine's role that has been kept under wraps. Nolan has tried to keep "The Dark Knight Rises" - the final film of the trilogy -- a mystery as well.

For Modine, it was a thrill to work with Nolan. And this comes from actor who has worked with a flurry of acclaimed directors in the past - from Oliver Stone and Stanley Kubrick to Robert Altman.

"The thing that was so refreshing about going to work with Christopher Nolan is that he stands by the camera and directs his film," Modine said. "He listens to the actors. He's curious. He's got a sense of humor."

"When a director stands by the camera, he's part of the scene, he participates in the scene," Modine continued.

All of the mystery surrounding "The Dark Knight Rises" has contributed to the hype of the film, which had an estimated $250 million budget.

So, will it live up to the hype?

"I don't know if anything can live up to hype, but I do believe the film will exceed people's expectations," Modine said.