Gotta love former Monty Python John Cleese - his voice is even giving me directions on my new GPS system. Now though, the English legend has joined the cast of the $75 million remake of "The Day the Earth Stood Still" reports IGN Movies.

The 1951 original film deals with a UFO landing in the US and its alien astronaut Klaatu tells humankind that unless we stop war, his race will destroy the planet.

Cleese will play a physicist named Dr. Barnhardt who is pivotal in communicating to the world why Klaatu's arrival on Earth is important. Keanu Reeves, Kathy Bates, Jennifer Connelly and Jaden Smith also star.

The project remains on target for a December release.