R rating upheld for 'The Possession'

The Motion Picture Assn. of America's rating appeals board has upheld the R rating given to Lionsgate's horror-thriller "The Possession." The Classification and Rating Administration had assigned the movie an R for "violence, terror, and disturbing images" in October, prompting the minimajor to appeal. Jeffrey Dean Morgan is toplining "The Possession," formerly titled "Dibbuk Box," with Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert producing via their Ghost House Pictures shingle. Danish director Ole Bornedal directed from a script -- inspired by true events -- by Juliet Snowden and Stiles White. Morgan stars as a recently divorced father whose youngest daughter becomes strangely connected to an antique wooden box she purchased at a yard sale. Lionsgate originally had slotted "The Possession" for a January release but has moved the pic to Aug. 31. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com