Ken Watanabe has signed on to join John C. Reilly and Salma Hayek in Universal Pictures vampire feature "Cirque du Freak" reports Variety.

Based on the bestselling twelve-book children's series by Darren Shan, Reilly will play a vampire who drafts a 14-year-old to serve as his assistant.

The youth is turned into a half-vampire and becomes the catalyst in a battle between vampires and the rival Vampanese.

Hayek will play Madame Truska, the bearded lady. Watanabe will portray Mr. Tall, the barker for the Cirque.

Brian Helgeland ("Mystic River") penned the screenplay, Paul Weitz is helming the film, and shooting is set to start next month.