Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment have purchased J. Michael Straczynski's thriller "The Changeling," which is being eyed by Ron Howard to direct reports Variety.
Story, billed as based on actual events, is about a mother who prays for the return of her kidnapped son. When her prayers are answered, however, she begins to suspect the boy who comes back is not her child.
Straczynski is a leading comicbook writer who also created cult hit sci-fi TV series "Babylon 5". That show became famous for its series-long serial story and character arcs which Straczynski had mapped out all beforehand.
Howard is presently attached to helm several projects including Iraq war drama "Last Man Home," garment industry expose "The Look of Real," the Aztec conquest epic "The Serpent and the Eagle," and news broadcasting comedy "The Power of Duff"
