Molepeople: Wheatley Steps In as Savage and Stanfield Exit

The theatrical release date for the upcoming horror film "Molepeople" remains set for August 27, 2027, even as the production undergoes major personnel changes. Ben Wheatley, the British director known for the thriller "Normal," has been tapped to lead the project. He replaces Rob Savage, who stepped away due to scheduling conflicts.

Savage had previously directed "The Boogeyman" and "Other Mommy." He will retain an executive producer role on the film. Joining him in that capacity are Ryan Turek, Tracy Rosenblum, and screenwriter Nathan Elston. Elston wrote the script, which centers on a man exploring abandoned tunnels beneath New York City where a twisted society resides.

LaKeith Stanfield, who was announced as a star earlier in the year, is also departing the production. The film was first revealed to the public during a Blumhouse Atomic Monster presentation at New York Comic-Con earlier this month.

Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Paramount Primal are co-financing and co-producing the picture. Paramount will handle worldwide distribution. Jason Blum, J.D. Lifshitz, Raphael Margules, and James Harris serve as producers.

Wheatley made his feature debut in 2009 with "Down Terrace." He followed that with "Kill List" in 2011, which earned six British Independent Film Award nominations. His recent credits include "Meg 2: The Trench" for Warner Bros. and "Rebecca" for Netflix.

His latest work, "Normal," starred Bob Odenkirk and was written by Derek Kolstad. The film premiered at TIFF in the Midnight Madness program before its April 2026 theatrical release. Wheatley is represented by WME, Independent Talent Group, and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.