Joe Johnston ("Hidalgo," "Jurassic Park III") was set late Sunday night to replace Mark Romanek as helmer of Universal Pictures "The Wolfman" reports Variety.

Romanek stepped out last week over creative differences, leaving the $100 million thriller floundering a month before it was scheduled to begin production in London in March.

Benicio Del Toro has long been attached to play the title character, Anthony Hopkins more recently signed to play the title character's father and Emily Blunt to play the female lead. Andrew Kevin Walker wrote the script.

Johnston's quick hire means that despite his steep learning curve, the project is expected to remain on track and on budget. Johnston beat out a host of high profile candidates for the job.