Ken Watanabe's next overseas film will be Universal Pictures' "Cirque du Freak," written and directed by Paul Weitz. The movie is based on a series of novels by Darren Shan involving vampires.

Watanabe is playing the role of Mr. Tall, the ringmaster of a freak show. John C. Reilly plays a vampire, and Salma Hayek plays a bearded lady.

Filming begins next month.