After deciding to make its adaptation of Hasbro boardgame Ouija a low-budget pic, Universal Pictures has recruited the team of Juliet Snowden and Stiles White to rewrite and helm it.
Producing will be Jason Blum through his Blumhouse Prods. shingle, Michael Bay through his Platinum Dunes banner along with Platinum partners Andrew Form and Brad Fuller. Hasbro prexy-CEO Brian Goldner and Bennett Schneir will also produce.
Plot details are being kept under wraps, although indications are it will be in keeping with the high-concept, low-budget model Blum has used with success for the “Paranormal Activity” franchise. Universal will release “Ouija” sometime in 2013.
Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz wrote the original drafts for “Ouija” when it was envisioned as a big-budget pic. Project began at Universal but then shifted to Paramount with McG onboard to direct.
But Par could never come to terms with the helmer on a budget, which spurred McG to exit the project. Universal reacquired “Ouija” in March after Par put it in turnaround. Blum was brought on at that time to help Bay, Form and Fuller reimagine the property as a low-budget pic.
Snowden and White’s credits include Summit’s “The Knowing” and “The Possession” for Lionsgate and Ghost House Pictures. (The latter pic goes out on Aug. 31.) Pair are repped by ICM Partners, managers Aaron Kaplan and Sean Perrone and Jackoway Tyerman.
