Director Mark Romanek left Universal horror film remake “The Wolf Man” less than a week ago only to be replaced with Joe Johnston, in time for filming to start as scheduled.

A spokesperson for Universal said director Joe Johnston, 57, who directed 2004's “Hidalgo,” will be confirmed as replacement director this week, BBC News reports. Romanek’s departure put filming on hold but with a new director in place, production is set to begin at Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire, next month.

The Hollywood Reporter said last week that Romanek left the project over financial issues: he asked for additional money to make the film, while the studio was adamant to remain within the $100 million range. Anticipated as an R rated horror movie, “The Wolf Man” is hardly blockbuster fare.

Benicio Del Toro is still attached to portray the film’s main character, a man who returns to his ancestral home in Victorian England, where he is bit by a werewolf. Sir Anthony Hopkins and Emily Blunt (“The Devil Wears Prada”) co-star.

Should the current writers’ strike continue, Johnston will direct from a script penned by Romanek and Andrew Kevin Walker (“Se7en,” “Sleepy Hollow,” “8MM”).

Producers Scott Stuber and Mary Parent are also still on board, as well as special effects expert Rick Baker.

“The Wolf Man,” expected to be released in 2009, is a remake of the eponymous Universal Pictures 1941 horror film starring Lon Chaney, Jr., Claude Rains, and Bela Lugosi.

Johnston’s film credits include the 1989 comedy “Honey, I Shrunk The Kids;” “Hidalgo,” starring Viggo Mortensen; “Jurassic Park III,” starring Sam Neill; “Jumanji,” starring Robin Williams and “The Rocketeer.”

Del Toro’s recent films include 2005’s “Sin City” and last year’s “Things We Lost in the Fire.” Blunt was recently at the Sundance Film Festival to promote her new film, a dark comedy titled “Sunshine Cleaning.”