'Ouija' joins Universal's board game scrap heap

It's been three weeks since Universal dropped its plans to adapt the board game Clue into a feature film, and now it appears the studio is boxing up its Ouija adaptation as well.

Ouija is the latest project to be scrapped.

Vulture is reporting the studio has put the project, which features producer Michael Bay ("Transformers") and director McG ("Charlie's Angels," "Terminator Salvation"), in turnaround.

According to the report, Ouija was part of a gigantic deal between Universal and Hasbro to develop up to six films based on the toy company's products, including Candy Land, Stretch Armstrong, Battleship and Clue.

Earlier this month, Universal dropped the Clue adaptation, although director Gore Verbinski remains on the project, which he is also set to produce. It hasn't been a good month for Verbinski, with Disney pulling the plug on his Lone Ranger project as well.

As for Ouija, McG is expected to shop the project around to other studios to find a new home.

Meanwhile, Vulture reports Universal is continuing to develop Candyland and Stretch Armstrong. "Battleship" is set for release next year, with the first teaser trailer hitting the web last week.

Universal drops 'Clue,' Gore Verbinski stays

Whodunnit? Well, we know it's not Universal Pictures, which just dropped the planned adaptation of the mystery board game Clue.

The game was adapted into a 1985 film.

Deadline is reporting that the studio has dropped the Hasbro property, but director Gore Verbinski ("Pirates of the Caribbean," "Rango") is still on board to direct. He will produce the film under his Blind Wink moniker with partner John Krauss along with Habro's Brian Goldner and Bennett Schneir.

According to the report, screenwriters Burk Sharpless and Matt Sazama ("Flash Gordon") have been hired to retool the script based on concepts developed by Verbinkski and the rest of the producers, which will expand the murder mystery concept to a "global stage."

The board game, first published in 1949 in England, allows players to play sleuths trying to discover who killed Mr. Boddy along with where the murder took place and what weapon was used to commit the deed.

The game has already been adapted into a 1985 film directed by Johnathan Lynn and starring Tim Curry and Christopher Lloyd, among others. Although it bombed at the box office, it went on to become a cult favorite on home video.