Liam Neeson is boarding 'Battleship'

Peter Berg's "Battleship" is still boarding, and Liam Neeson is the latest to join the crew. He joins a cast that already includes Alexander Skarsgard, Taylor Kitsch, Brooklyn Decker and Rihanna.

Variety reports "Battleship," which is based on the popular Hasbro game, has already started shooting. Set photos showing Rihanna in uniform popped up on the Web recently. Film opens May 18, 2012.

Neeson will play Admiral Shane, while Kitsch stars as his future son-in-law. Decker is his daughter, and Skarsgard is on board to play Kitsch's brother. Jon Hoeber and Erich Hoeber wrote the script.

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First photos of Rihanna on 'Battleship' set

Rihanna is making the transition to the big screen with Peter Berg's action blockbuster "Battleship," and here are some first images from the set. Yep, that's Rihanna in uniform. Watch more stills below.

Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgard, Brooklyn Decker, and Hamish Linklater co-star in the film, which is set for release May 18, 2012. It's all based on the popular Hasbro game. More Rihanna photos right here.

Plot details are kind of sketchy still, but the IMDb synopsis goes like this: A fleet of ships is forced to do battle with an armada of unknown origins in order to discover and thwart their destructive goals.

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Rihanna to board 'Battleship' movie adaptation

The next musical artist is making the transition to the big screen. This time, it's Rihanna, who will join Alexander Skarsgard and Taylor Kitsch in Peter Berg's upcoming Universal action flick "Battleship."

The film is based on Hasbro's board game, and it's ready to sail to theaters May 25, 2012. Variety also points out Kitsch plays a naval officer. Skarsgard is his brother. No word yet about Rihanna's role.

Jeremy Renner to board 'Battleship'?

Actor Jeremy Renner is nominated for an Academy Award for his extraordinary performance in "The Hurt Locker," and now, the guy's also in talks to star in Peter Berg's big upcoming adventure "Battleship."

A recent Reuters news article about Oscar nominees revealed this information. It also points out Renner will shoot a film titled "Raven" soon. It's a period thriller that also has Ewan McGregor attached to it.

But hey, Renner is no stranger to acting, because his credits include "28 Weeks Later," "North Country," "S.W.A.T.," TV's "The Unusuals" and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.

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Taylor Lautner to star in 'Stretch Armstrong'

Universal Pictures has recruited Taylor Lautner ("The Twilight Saga: New Moon") to star in its upcoming film based on Hasbro's action figure "Stretch Armstrong," which will open everywhere in 3D in 2012.

The film is based on the toy brand that gained popularity in the 1970s and was relaunched in the '90s. Steve Oedekerk ("Barnyard," "Evan Almighty") wrote the screenplay, and Brian Grazer will serve as producer.

"...Taylor has emerged as a real star at the global box office. He brings the perfect balance of energy and athleticism to the role of an unlikely super hero with a fantastic super power," said Uni's Donna Langley.

In related news, Universal also moved Peter Berg's "Battleship" to May 25, 2012. "We believe in Pete Berg and the incredible vision that he and the Battleship team have for this film," said the studio's Adam Fogelson.

Lautner will also soon be seen in "Valentine's Day," followed by "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" and "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn." He's also set for "Cancun" and "Northern Lights." Busy guy, huh?

Daily news dose: 'Battleship' gets release date; Harrison Ford says 'Indy 5' story in the progress

Here is a collection of short but important movie news out of Hollywood and from the Web:

• Universal plans to release Peter Berg's "Battleship" July 1, 2011. The film is a live-action version of the popular Hasbro board game. Berg told Variety the film is "a contemporary story of an international five-ship fleet engaged in a very dynamic, violent and intense battle."

• Harrison Ford apparently can't wait to return to the world of Indiana Jones. Speaking with France's Le Figaro, he said the story for a fifth "Indiana Jones" flick is already taking shape. George Lucas is busy working on the story, he said. I think they should just leave Indy alone for good. Enough is enough.

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