Valerian trailer: Cara Delevingne shows off her acting skills is first look at dramatic sci-fi film

Cara Delevingne swaps the catwalk for outer space in the first look at new film Valerian.

The former supermodel takes on one of her first leading roles opposite Dane DeHaan in Luc Besson’s action-packed new film, which fans caught a glimpse of on Thursday.

The first trailer shows the 24-year-old in full-on action mode in character as a time-travelling government agent who arrives in an intergalactic city with her partner.

As visually-rich as expected from a Besson film, the pair can be seen battling aliens and monsters as they attempt to save the city in the year 2740.

They also seem to be negotiating their own relationship, with Laureline telling Valerian: “We get on just great … you flirt, I smile.”

“A universe without boundaries... needs heroes without limits,” flashes up on screen.

Fans also get a first glimpse of Rihanna in the 97-second clip, who appears to play a blonde-haired performer.

The forthcoming film, which is based on Pierre Christin’s iconic graphic novels, also stars Clive Owen, John Goodman and Thean Hawke.

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is slated for release on July 21, 2017.