Catherine Zeta-Jones joins Red 2

Catherine Zeta-Jones could soon be grappling with some fancy weapons after the announcement that she is starring in Red 2.

The Oscar-winning Welsh actress - who is married to actor Michael Douglas - will join returning cast members Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Mary-Louise Parker and fellow Academy Award winner Dame Helen Mirren, reported Collider.com.

The sequel - which will be directed by Dean Parisot from a screenplay by Erich and Jon Hoeber, who wrote the first instalment - sees the reunited team of retired CIA operatives as they use their old-school style to take on a new set of enemies all across Europe.

Erik Feig, President of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Production, said in a statement: "We had so much fun making Red and seeing that amazing cast assembled together... We can't wait to bring them back together, give them some new friends, and show they 'still got it'."

Red 2 is scheduled to be released in August 2013.

Catherine, who took an acting break after 2009 romantic comedy The Rebound and has sought treatment for bipolar II disorder, has four films lined up on her return, including musical Rock Of Ages and crime drama Broken City.

She is filming Steven Soderbergh's The Bitter Pill with Jude Law, Channing Tatum and Rooney Mara.