Two photos from Jonathan Liebesman’s alien-invasion feature Battle: Los Angeles have hit the web. The above pic is a shot of a mushroom cloud explosion on a freeway (said to be a bus after being blown to smithereens by malicious extraterrestrials). The bottom is that of actor Aaron Eckhart (Dark Knight, Black Dahlia) as a Marine staff sergeant ready to get some payback for the U.S. of fucking A.

The film’s synopsis reads:

When unknown forces put the City of angels under attack, it’s up to a Marine staff sergeant (Aaron Eckhart) and his new platoon to come to the rescue. As the invasion hits the streets of L.A., the Marines become our first and last line of defense against a highly powerful enemy. Bridget Moynahan (I, Robot), Michelle Rodriguez (Avatar) and Michael Peña (World Trade Center) co-star alongside an ensemble cast including Ramon Rodriguez and Ne-Yo.

Battle: Los Angeles, described as Independence Day meets Black Hawk Down, takes its name from a supposed massive UFO sighting in Santa Monica, California said to have taken place on Feb. 25, 1942 just weeks after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. According to UFO enthusiasts, the alien ship was attacked by the U.S. military under the belief that it was Japanese aircraft. I’m not sure if this plays a part in the film, but you can read more about it here.

Liebesman’s previous efforts include Darkness Falls and Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning, two highly enjoyable and stupidly underrated horror flicks. Battle: Los Angeles is reportedly due in theaters in 2011. I’ll letcha know if that changes.