Paramount Primal and Blumhouse Atomic Monster have announced significant changes to their upcoming horror film ‘Molepeople.’ LaKeith Stanfield, who was previously announced as a star, has exited the project, and director Rob Savage has departed due to scheduling conflicts. Ben Wheatley, known for his work on films like ‘Normal’ and ‘Kill List,’ will now take over as director. The film, which was unveiled during Blumhouse Atomic Monster’s New York Comic-Con presentation earlier this month, follows a man who descends into the abandoned tunnels beneath New York City and discovers a ‘twisted society’ living there. Written by Nathan Elston, ‘Molepeople’ is co-financed and co-produced by Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Paramount Primal, with Paramount handling worldwide distribution. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on August 27, 2027. Producers include Jason Blum, J.D. Lifshitz, Raphael Margules, and James Harris. Savage will remain as an executive producer alongside Ryan Turek, Tracy Rosenblum, and Elston. Wheatley, a British filmmaker with a reputation for bold storytelling, has previously directed ‘Down Terrace,’ ‘Kill List,’ ‘High-Rise,’ and ‘Meg 2: The Trench.’ His most recent film, ‘Normal,’ starred Bob Odenkirk and was written by Derek Kolstad, the creator of ‘John Wick.’ The film premiered at TIFF’s Midnight Madness program ahead of its April 2026 theatrical release. Wheatley’s diverse filmography spans indie projects like ‘Free Fire’ and major studio productions such as ‘Rebecca’ on Netflix. The shift in direction and casting marks a notable change for the horror film, which was initially set to be directed by Savage, known for ‘The Boogeyman’ and ‘Other Mommy.’