Universal Pictures has released first trailer for director Robert Schwentke’s (Red) adaptation of the Dark Horse comic R.I.P.D.  The supernatural actioner stars Ryan Reynolds as a newly deceased cop who joins a group of undead officers in the “Rest In Peace Department” to help combat a rising force of nefarious corpses.  The trailer has a very strong Men in Black vibe, as Reynolds' "new to death" rookie is introduced to this new supernatural world by his partner, a colorful veteran R.I.P.D. member played by Jeff Bridges.  There's a nice mix of humor and action on display in this debut trailer, and the chemistry between Bridges and Reynolds—which one imagines is the make or break aspect of the film—looks quite promising.

Hit the jump to watch the trailer and see the new images.  The film also stars Kevin Bacon, Mary Louise-Parker, Stephanie Szostak, Marissa Miller, and James Hong.  R.I.P.D. opens in 3D on July 19th in the U.S. and on August 30th in the U.K.

Here's the official synopsis for R.I.P.D.:

Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds headline the 3D supernatural action-adventure R.I.P.D. as two cops dispatched by the otherworldly Rest In Peace Department to protect and serve the living from an increasingly destructive array of souls who refuse to move peacefully to the other side.  

Veteran sheriff Roy Pulsifer (Bridges) has spent his career with the legendary police force known as R.I.P.D. tracking monstrous spirits who are cleverly disguised as ordinary people.  His mission?  To arrest and bring to justice a special brand of criminals trying to escape final judgment by hiding among the unsuspecting on Earth. 

Once the wise-cracking Roy is assigned former rising-star detective Nick Walker (Reynolds) as his junior officer, the new partners have to turn grudging respect into top-notch teamwork.  When they uncover a plot that could end life as we know it, two of R.I.P.D.’s finest must miraculously restore the cosmic balance...or watch the tunnel to the afterlife begin sending angry souls the very wrong way.