Joe Johnston took the helm of “The Wolfman” as Mark Romanek left the picture last week.  The $100 million thriller is on track to begin production in London this March. Romanek stepped out over creative differences.

Benicio Del Toro has been attached to play the title character for a long time. Anthony Hopkins plays the character’s father, and Emily Blunt (“Charlie Wilson’s War”) plays the female lead.

“The Wolfman,” one of the treasured horror properties in the studio vaults, will cost $85 million, counting about $15 million in tax breaks for shooting in the United Kingdom.

Johnston credits included “Hidalgo,” which I loved, and “Jurassic Park III.”

Just as a note: This picture of Benicio Del Toro sure makes him look like the Wolfman. Don’t you think so?