Ouija movie revived by massive budget cut

Universal resurrects Ouija after major budget cuts from $100 million down to $5 million, Deadline reports.

The film version of the popular Hasbro board game was one slated as a Pirates of the Caribbean scale production shepherded by Michael Bay, directed by McG, and written by Tron: Legacy scribes Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz. Coming in at $100 million, Universal swiftly pulled the plug on the paranormal adaptation.

Producer Jason Blum, responsible for other low-budget hits including Paranormal Activity, is now on board, and the film has an expected 2013 release. It’s not known whether the original script will be reworked or rewritten from scratch, although McG will definitely not be returning as director.

Universal’s decision to focus on smaller budget films in the wake of recent box office winners Chronicle and Project X likely means less fancy special effects and more emphasis on an original story.

Discuss: Are you more intrigued by a lower-budget take?