John C. Reilly, Josh Hutcherson and Chris Kelly are in negotiations to star in Universal's "Cirque du Freak" reports the trades.

An adaptation of Darren Shan's children's book series, the story follows two best friends (Hutcherson, Kelly) who visit an illegal freak show.

There they encounter a vampire and a giant deadly spider which forces them to make life-changing choices. One of them is turned into a half-vampire and becomes not only a servant, but the catalyst in a battle between vampires and the rival Vampanese.

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

Paul Weitz ("The Golden Compass") is directing and wrote the latest script draft. Shooting is slated to begin in February.