Joaquin Phoenix for Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter?

Joaquin Phoenix is in the running for a leading role in 'Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter'.

The 'I'm Still Here' star is in negotiations to play mentor Henry Sturgess in the Timur Bekmambetov-directed movie, opposite Benjamin walker in the role of Abraham.

Sturgess is an ageless vampire who saves Abraham as a young boy, battling a deadly creature, leading to the pair becoming firm friends.

He then mentors the Abraham, explaining to him the history of vampirism and how to fight them.

Tim Burton is producing the project - based on the book of the same name by Seth Grahame Smith -alongside Jim Lemley and Bekmambetov.

It is not the only film of Seth's to currently be in production - a movie version of 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies' is also in the works, and expected for release later this year.

Twice Oscar-nominated Joaquin - the brother of the late River Phoenix - has not appeared in a large movie production since 2005's 'Walk the Line', but did make mock-documentary 'I'm Still Here' in 2010.