What if Popeye the Sailor turns out to be a dangerous killer? That’s the concept of the upcoming horror movie Popeye produced by ITN Studios.
According to Bloody Disgusting, ITN Studios has released the first few photos from the horror version of Popeye, a horror comedy that turns the spinach-loving sailor into a sadistic serial killer.
This movie came after the character of Popeye entered the public domain, similar to how Winnie the Pooh and Steamboat Willie-the first incarnation of Mickey Mouse-also got horror parody movies.
However, for the record, Popeye is not included in the “Poohniverse,” which is a cinematic universe that connects Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey with other horror parody films that adapt popular children’s story characters, such as Bambi and Peter Pan.
1. Leaked Photos of Popeye Horror Movie
The official logline for the Popeye horror movie reveals, “The legendary Popeye stalks a group of [counselors] who want to set up a summer camp.”
It’s a concept familiar to fans of horror movies from the 80s, although replacing the classic masked killer with a character like Popeye is an interesting innovation.
The first look that ITN Studios released also shows some of the chaos that Popeye will bring. Some of the photos show Popeye with muscles as big and comical as his cartoon character, wearing a white uniform full of blood.
Another image shows the possibility of Popeye using an anchor on his victims, while another one signals that he might also use his bare hands. However, it is still uncertain whether he will strengthen himself first by consuming canned spinach before carrying out his act.
Steven Murphy will play Popeye in this horror movie. William Stead will be the director for this “bold and bloody” slasher film, while Rene August serves as the producer. While little else is known about the project, the good news is that a trailer and more details will be released soon.
2. About the Character of Popeye
Popeye is a character by E. C. Segar and first appeared in a comic strip called Thimble Theater in 1929. Although the strip ran for a decade, the character’s popularity led to the strip eventually being renamed Popeye, with the iconic sailor becoming the main focus.
In 1933, Popeye began appearing in Max Fleischer’s animated films, which further increased the character’s fame. Over the next few decades, the Popeye franchise continued to grow, spanning cartoons, comic books, video games and more.
Actor Robin Williams is best known for playing Popeye in the 1980 film Popeye, which also featured Shelley Duvall as Olive Oyl. This horror version of Popeye will likely premiere in January 2025, although the exact date has not been revealed.
