Actor Michael Sheen, who played high-profile roles in The Queen and Frost/Nixon, is set to take on the role of Aro in New Moon, with an estimated £5million payday. This according to the Daily Mail, which says–

Sheen, 40, who made his name with uncannily realistic portrayals of well-known figures in Oscar-winning films The Queen, Frost/Nixon and The Damned United, will get his biggest pay cheque yet, a reported £5million, to star in New Moon.

In New Moon, Sheen will play Aro, the leader of an Italian vampire clan called the Volturi.

Director Chris Weitz confirmed Sheen’s casting to The Mail on Sunday and said he had ‘aggressively’ pursued the actor.

‘Michael’s role is so important because he’s the head of all vampires,’ he said. ‘Aro is, on the surface, a very gracious and friendly vampire, but beneath that he is a tremendous threat.’

Ironically, Michael Sheen previously played the werewolf leader Lucian in Underworld. I think this is great news, given his great work in Frost/Nixon recently! What do you guys think?

[thanks, Elke, Olga,Tiffany and Nino!]