Matt Damon didn't know he could grow a moustache

Matt Damon's new facial hair growth for a movie role has taken even himself by surprise.

For True Grit, Damon has produced a homegrown moustache in keeping with the trend of stars altering their natural appearance for celluloid roles. Renee Zellweger, for instance, is said to be mulling piling on the pounds again for another Bridget Jones reprisal.

But Damon wasn't sure to begin with, and didn't know he could grow a moustache. He said: "I didn't know I could grow one. Unfortunately, that means having to do a press junket with a moustache. My wife Lucy went online and [said], 'What the f**k is that thing on his lip?'"

Damon is getting into part for a Coen Bros movie and has been surprised by the reactions he has been getting on the promotions circuit for another movie, Green Zone.