Ben Wheatley Takes Over Directing 'Molepeople' as Rob Savage and LaKeith Stanfield Depart

Filmmaker Ben Wheatley, known for the thriller "Normal," will direct "Molepeople," an upcoming horror movie from Paramount Primal and Blumhouse Atomic Monster.

Wheatley replaces Rob Savage, who had been set to lead the project but left because of scheduling conflicts. Savage's credits include "The Boogeyman" and "Other Mommy." Star LaKeith Stanfield, who had been announced previously, is also leaving the production. Savage will stay involved as an executive producer, joined in that role by Ryan Turek, Tracy Rosenblum and screenwriter Nathan Elston.

The film was revealed earlier this month during the Blumhouse Atomic Monster presentation at New York Comic-Con. Elston wrote the script, which follows a man who goes down into the abandoned tunnels under New York City and finds a "twisted society lurking beneath the streets."

Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Paramount Primal are co-financing and co-producing the picture, while Paramount will handle worldwide distribution. It is scheduled to reach theaters on Aug. 27, 2027.

The producers are Blumhouse Atomic Monster chief Jason Blum, Paramount Primal heads J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules, and James Harris.

Wheatley, a British director, has earned a reputation for bold and original storytelling. His latest work, "Normal," is an action thriller starring Bob Odenkirk and written by Derek Kolstad, the creator of "John Wick." It premiered in the Midnight Madness program at TIFF before an April 2026 theatrical release.

He made his feature debut in 2009 with "Down Terrace," and followed it in 2011 with "Kill List," which received six British Independent Film Award nominations, including best director and best screenplay.

His career has since covered both independent and big-studio filmmaking. On the independent side are "High-Rise," starring Tom Hiddleston, "Free Fire," which Martin Scorsese executive produced, and the experimental feature "Bulk." His studio projects include Warner Bros.' "Meg 2: The Trench," starring Jason Statham, and Netflix's "Rebecca."

Wheatley is represented by WME, Independent Talent Group, and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.