Rihanna to make voice acting debut in 2014 DreamWorks film

The singer will lend her voice alongside Jim Parsons, who plays Sheldon Cooper on TV sitcom The Big Bang Theory.

Happy Smekday! is based on Adam Rex's award-winning book The True Meaning of Smekday, which was published in 2007.

The story follows an alien race that uses Earth as a hideout from its mortal enemies. When one alien accidentally gives their position away, he's forced to go on the run with a teenage girl and - of course - hilarious antics ensue.

The film will be directed by Tim Johnson, whose credits include Antz and Over The Hedge.

Tom J. Astle and Matt Ember (Get Smart) are writing the screenplay, while Rio's Chris Jenkins and Kung Fu Panda 2's Suzanne Buirgy are co-producing.

Photo: Getty Images/Gareth Cattermole