Rihanna sizzles opposite Neeson in first film role

A trailer for summer blockbuster Battleship shows the pair getting to grips with an underseas enemy intent on destroying the planet.

While many fans of singer Rihanna know she's not afraid to flash the flesh, they'll be surprised to see her cover up in a US marine uniform for her first film role.

The Grammy winner, who celebrated her 24th birthday this week, posted a link to the trailer on her website on Tuesday.

In her acting debut, Rihanna can be seen looking serious and determined in the €250m movie, and is bound to set pulses racing in her naval officer's uniform.

The chart-topper plays Raikes in the film, which sees a group of navy ships come under attack from an alien enemy during an 'international naval war game.'

RiRi recently spoke of her desire to take on more movie productions.

"I love doing movies now. It's something I want to do more of," the Umbrella singer admitted.

"I just want to pick films that are wise for me and roles that I can pull off, nothing that is too big for me."

Battleship director Peter Berg has also raved about her captivating performance on the big-screen.

"She was great. She has a very strong part. I was surprised no one had ever thought to hire Rihanna. I was a huge fan of her videos.

"Obviously she's sexy, but she had this real intensity.

"I've always believed in musicians as actors," he said.

And fans of Liam Neeson's last action role in The A Team will be thrilled that he's at the helm of an action film once again - and looking dashing in his navy whites.

Dad-of-two Liam (59), who recently saw massive success with his film The Grey, has proved that he is the king of heroic characters, and fans will get to enjoy watching him in another 'fight for survival' role in Battleship.

Swimwear model and wife of tennis star Andy Roddick, Brooklyn Decker, also stars in the highly-anticipated flick, with Alexander Skarsgard, and Taylor Kitsch completing the cast line-up.

labutler@herald.ie