Lakeith Stanfield Leaves ‘Molepeople’ as Ben Wheatley Takes Over Directing

WHO:

Deadline - LaKeith Stanfield, actor and announced star of *Molepeople*, exited the film.

Deadline - Rob Savage departed as director; English filmmaker Ben Wheatley took over directing duties.

Variety - Wheatley is known for *Normal*; Savage is known for *The Boogeyman* and *Other Mommy*.

Deadline - *Molepeople* is co-financed and co-produced by Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Paramount Primal.

Variety - The film is a project of Paramount Primal and Blumhouse Atomic Monster.

Coming Soon - Savage is identified as the director of *Other Mommy*.

WHAT:

Deadline - Two key creatives—Stanfield and Savage—left Paramount’s horror thriller *Molepeople*; Wheatley replaced Savage as director.

Variety - Savage, who had been set to direct, departed, and Stanfield also exited the film.

Coming Soon - The project underwent a behind-the-scenes creative change, with Stanfield leaving and Wheatley taking over directing.

WHY:

Deadline - Savage’s departure was attributed to scheduling conflicts; the reason for Stanfield’s exit was not disclosed.

Variety - Savage departed because of scheduling conflicts; the article does not state why Stanfield left.

Coming Soon - The reason for Stanfield’s departure was not provided.

HOW:

Variety - *Molepeople* was announced at a Blumhouse event; the article excerpt does not provide further details.

(UPDATED October 29, 2026 00:01 UTC)

LaKeith Stanfield has exited Paramount’s horror thriller *Molepeople*, while director Rob Savage has left the project because of scheduling conflicts. English filmmaker Ben Wheatley, known for *Normal*, is taking over directing duties; the reason for Stanfield’s departure hasn’t been disclosed. Co-financed and co-produced by Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Paramount Primal, the film was announced at a Blumhouse event.