It appears that Willem Dafoe will play yet another character with a thirst for blood in his new film. According to CHUD, Dafoe will be playing one of the lead characters in Paul Weitz's new film, Cirque du Freak.

Dafoe wasn't previously announced as part of a cast that also includes Salma Hayek, John C. Reilly, Ken Wantanabe, Ray Stevenson, Josh Hutcherson, Patrick Fugit and Chris Massoglia. The site was recently on the set of the film and revealed Dafoe has been cast as a vampire, although they wouldn't reveal much more about the character, besides he was "quite a dapper, old Hollywood" vampire.

The film is currently shooting in New Orleans and the film has been slated for release sometime in 2009.