In a new behind the scenes video, Rihanna discusses getting into character to play a no-nonsense Navy officer in 'Battleship,' her motion picture debut. Though RiRi has done plenty of acting in her music videos, like the controversial 'Man Down' clip where she played a victim of abuse who shot and killed her abuser, 'Battleship' takes the acting intensity to a new level as she plays Raikes, a fearless weapons officer.

"We had this bada-- chick on set. Her name is Jackie," Rihanna says. "She's also in the Navy. I was playing what she really does in real life. She was all tatted up, and I just looked at her and I was like, 'You are Raikes!' I watched her, and I just lived and breathed in her mindset and tried to get into her character."

Technical advisor Jacqueline Carrizosa, the real-life Raikes, says she provided the singer with support. "I help Rihanna with basic military lingo, weapons handling, with our postures like standing at ease, attention, saluting."

The footage includes short clips of scenes in which Raikes fires an automatic weapon, races down a narrow corridor, guides a small military raft, and dresses down her subordinates, yelling, "Who's in charge? Who's in charge?" She has us convinced that she's the boss!

'Battleship,' which is based on the board game, also stars Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgård, Brooklyn Decker and Liam Neeson. The film arrives in theaters in May.

Watch Rihanna Discuss Her Role in 'Battleship'

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