Wheatley Directs Molepeople After Savage Exit

British director Ben Wheatley is replacing Rob Savage on the upcoming Paramount horror film Molepeople. Savage, known for The Boogeyman and Other Mommy, left the project due to scheduling conflicts. The departure follows the exit of previously announced star LaKeith Stanfield.

The film was announced in October 2026 during a Blumhouse Atomic Monster presentation at New York Comic-Con. Nathan Elston wrote the script about a man who explores abandoned tunnels beneath New York City. Inside these subterranean spaces, he encounters a twisted society. Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Paramount Primal are co-financing and producing the movie. Paramount handles worldwide distribution.

The theatrical release date remains set for August 27, 2027. Jason Blum, head of Blumhouse Atomic Monster, serves as a producer. J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules from Paramount Primal also produce the film. James Harris is another producer listed. Savage stays on as an executive producer alongside Ryan Turek, Tracy Rosenblum, and writer Elston.

Wheatley brings a history of distinct genre work to the project. His recent action thriller Normal starred Bob Odenkirk and was written by Derek Kolstad. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2026 before its April theatrical run. Wheatley began his career with the 2009 feature Down Terrace. His 2011 film Kill List received six British Independent Film Award nominations.

His filmography includes the indie High-Rise starring Tom Hiddleston and Free Fire, which Martin Scorsese executive produced. He also directed the experimental feature Bulk. On the studio side, Wheatley directed Meg 2: The Trench for Warner Bros. and the Netflix series Rebecca. His agencies include WME, Independent Talent Group, and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.