Those names are Josh Hutcherson and Chris Kelly. You may know Hutcherson from children films like ZATHURA, BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA, and FIREHOUSE DOG. I don’t like the kid. I don’t know why, maybe because he did a good job of making me hate him in ZATHURA and KICKING & SCREAMING. He just kind of annoys me. So this news kind of brings CIRQUE DU FREAK down for me… but the thought of John C. Reilly playing a vampire is still intriguing.
CIRQUE DU FREAK is about 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. Reilly will be playing the lead adult role with Hutcherson to play the lead child role I’m assuming. The film is being directed by Paul Weitz, based off of Darren Shan’s novel, with Lauren Shuler Donner and Brian Helgeland producing. I’m a big fan of Helgeland’s, so that’s a good sign. Production starts in February 2008.