Reilly gets his "Freak" on with vampire film

By Borys Kit

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - John C. Reilly, Josh Hutcherson and Chris Kelly are in negotiations to star in "Cirque du Freak," an adaptation of Darren Shan's children's book series. Paul Weitz ("About A Boy") is directing.

The story follows two best friends (Hutcherson, Kelly) who visit an illegal freak show, where an encounter with a vampire and a giant deadly spider forces them to make life-changing choices that result in vampire servitude and vampirism itself.

Reilly would play Larten Crepsley, the centuries-old vampire and owner of Madame Octa, the spider.

The Universal Pictures project is scheduled to start in February.

Reilly has lately been in a comedy phase, appearing in such movies as "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby," "Year of the Dog" and Judd Apatow's upcoming "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story." Before that, he appeared in "Chicago," "Gangs of New York" and "The Hours."

Hutcherson starred in "Bridge to Terabithia" and next appears opposite Brendan Fraser in "Journey 3-D." Kelly appeared on TBS' "Wanted" and "Boys Life."

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter