LaKeith Stanfield and Director Rob Savage Exit Molepeople as Ben Wheatley Steps In

Overview

• Reports published Wednesday say LaKeith Stanfield has left the Paramount Primal and Blumhouse Atomic Monster horror film Molepeople and Rob Savage has vacated the director role.
• British filmmaker Ben Wheatley has been tapped to replace Savage as director while Savage is expected to remain on the project as an executive producer.
• Ben Mendelsohn, screenwriter Nathan Elston, and producers including Jason Blum, J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules remain attached to the project.
• The film was reported to be slated to begin U.K. production at the end of November, but outlets note the recent departures create uncertainty about that schedule and the Aug. 27, 2027 theatrical date.
• No reason has been disclosed for Stanfield’s exit and trades attribute Savage’s departure to scheduling conflicts, a situation sources describe as amicable.