Jean-Claude Van Damme to star in British sci-fi movie

Jean-Claude Van Damme has signed on to the British sci-fi movie UFO.

The martial arts expert will portray a retired military adviser in the film, which follows the events surrounding an alien invasion.

Written and directed by Dominic Burns, the movie focuses on a group of five friends who wake up one morning to discover that the power is out, there's no cell phone reception and that the radio only tunes to static. Two days later, a UFO appears over the town.

The film is currently shooting an action sequence in Derbyshire, England.

Burns told BBC News of Van Damme's casting: "We heard he once visited [Derbyshire] to take part in some sort of martial arts display for about an hour but then headed off. He'll be here for a little longer this time."

Burns went on to describe the film as a combination of popular sci-fi films.

"Independence Day meets Monsters, told from the point of view of Signs," he claimed.

Van Damme is also said to be starring in the ensemble action movie The Expendables 2, which reportedly begins shooting in September.

The actor recently revealed that he is delighted with his big gay following, crediting his fans with having good taste.

UFO is slated for a 2012 release.