Wheatley Steps In To Direct 'Molepeople' After Stanfield Exit
The British director replaces Rob Savage on the upcoming horror film, which also loses its lead actor due to scheduling conflicts.
By Christian Morales ·
The New York City film industry is accustomed to shifting creative teams, but the recent changes to the upcoming horror movie 'Molepeople' have altered both its leadership and its star power. Ben Wheatley, known for his work on 'Normal,' has taken over directing duties from Rob Savage.
Savage departed the project because of scheduling conflicts. This move coincided with the exit of LaKeith Stanfield, who was previously cast in the lead role. The studio has not yet announced a replacement for Stanfield.
The film, which focuses on a man exploring abandoned tunnels beneath New York City, was revealed during a Blumhouse Atomic Monster presentation at New York Comic-Con earlier this month. The plot centers on a twisted society living in the underground spaces. The script was written by Nathan Elston.
Jason Blum, J.D. Lifshitz, Raphael Margules, and James Harris serve as producers for the project. Savage remains attached as an executive producer alongside Ryan Turek, Tracy Rosenblum, and Elston. The movie is co-financed by Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Paramount Primal, with Paramount handling worldwide distribution.
Wheatley brings a varied background to the role. His recent feature 'Normal' premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in April 2026. He previously directed 'Kill List' and 'Down Terrace,' and has worked on major studio films including 'Meg 2: The Trench' and 'Rebecca.' The theatrical release is currently scheduled for August 27, 2027.
Source: Variety
