Battle: Los Angeles (also known as Battle: LA and internationally as World Invasion: Battle Los Angeles) is a 2011 American military science fiction action film directed by Jonathan Liebesman. The storyline was conceived from a screenplay written by Chris Bertolini, based in part on a wartime incident dubbed the "Battle of Los Angeles". The film is set in modern-day Los Angeles and follows a retiring Marine Staff Sergeant played by Aaron Eckhart who must go back into the line of duty to lead a platoon of U.S. Marines, a U.S. Navy corpsman, isolated U.S. Army soldiers and a U.S. Air Force sergeant during a global alien invasion. The ensemble cast also features Michelle Rodriguez, Ramon Rodriguez, Bridget Moynahan, Ne-Yo, and Michael Peña. The film was a co-production between the motion picture studios of Columbia Pictures, Relativity Media, and Original Film. Theatrically, it was commercially distributed by Columbia, while the Sony Pictures Home Entertainment division released the film in the video rental market. Battle: Los Angeles explores alien invasion, counter-terrorism, and military warfare.