The 63-year-old actor will be the voice of an alien character in the film, which stars Dane DeHaan, Cara Delevingne, Clive Owen, Ethan Hawke and Rihanna, reported Variety.
Besson will write and direct the project, while his wife, Virginie Besson Silla will produce under EuropaCorp.
"Valerian" is based on a graphic novel, created by Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mezieres in 1967.
The story is set in the 28th century, when humanity discovered how to time-travel.
The film is set for July 2017 release.