Renee Zellweger has signed to topline the horror thriller "Case 39" for Paramount Pictures. The actress recently dropped out of another Paramount horror film, C/W Prods.' "The Eye," which is now in turnaround.

Penned by Ray Wright, "Case 39" centers on an idealistic social worker (Zellweger) who saves an abused 10-year-old girl from her parents only to discover that things are not as they appear. The studio is looking for a director.

Kevin Misher is producing through his Paramount-based Misher Films alongside Anonymous Content's Steve Golin. "Case 39" originally was set up at Morgan Creek Prods., with Universal Pictures distributing.

The film is scheduled to begin shooting July 31 in Vancouver.

Paramount's Brad Weston and Dan Levine are overseeing for the studio.

Zellweger has been absent from the horror scene since starring in 1994's "The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre." The three-time Oscar nominee, who won a best supporting actress statuette for 2003's "Cold Mountain," is filming the Beatrix Potter biopic "Miss Potter."

She is repped by CAA and manager John Carrabino.