Genndy Tartakovsky will direct Popeye for Sony Pictures Animation
We reported back in November that Jay Scherick and David Ronn (The Smurfs, Zookeeper) are writing the screenplay. No story details were given at this time, although it will be released in 3D.
Popeye was created in 1929 by Elzie Crisler Segar, and first appeared in the Thimble Theater comic strip. The character has been showcased in a number of animated shorts, the 1960 TV series Popeye, and director Robert Altman's 1980 live-action Popeye that starred Robin Williams.
Michelle Raimo and Michael Lachance are overseeing the project for Sony Pictures Animation. No production schedule was released.
Popeye comes to theaters September 26th, 2014.
Comments (22)
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Glacia
All Warner Brothers characters successfully diluted, blandified and destroyed... Time to move on. Targeting Popeye for destruction. "Yes, the plan to remake all great cartoon characters of the past as pathetic, bland versions lacking all entertainment value continues."
11 months agoby @glaciaFlag
Rudy
@ejk1 nope, production was halted in 2004 and the series was never resolved, thus Samurai Jack was never finished. Supposedly JJ Abrams was supposed to direct Samurai Jack the movie but that was back in 2009-2010.
11 months agoby @rudyFlag
skywise
I remeber watching Popeye as a kid and being baffled by some of the stuff he muttered under his breath...it wasnt always the nicest things he said and to me that is part of charm but seriously....someone has got to do something about those nasty tumors in his forearms XD
11 months agoby @skywiseFlag
ejk1
@gandoff2169 That's your opinion, not fact. Yes, they want money, but the reason for the film could be because they know Popeye is still a character filled with vitality and still has a huge following worldwide. I guess we'll find out when the film comes out.
11 months agoby @ejk1Flag
gandoff2169
@ejk1 As I said, because Hollywood has ran out of idea's, and are looking at things to make money off of when it comes to children movies.
11 months agoby @gandoff2169Flag
ejk1
@rudy He did finish Samurai Jack, it was just never put on the Cartoon Network.
@gandoff2169 If he isn't popular enough to be brought to the big screen, then why is he being brought to the big screen?
11 months agoby @ejk1Flag
gandoff2169
@ejk1 The fact nothing new, other then the Robin Williams movie, has never been done for so long, speaks volumes to why it is not A grade. The most loved and popular characters get re done over and over to make money. And with so little ever done with Popeye, beyond the 80's movie, and the brand of canned spinach, only shows my point. Ironically, the Popeye movie with Robin Williams is on cinemax while I write this, and I am watching it. Corny, but still enjoyable. The fact they only getting to him in over 30 years, shows they have ran out of other characters to use. They did Flinstones, Scooby Doo, Jetsons, Chimpmunks, Smurfs, Yogi, and even Josie and the P*ssy Cats... So as I do like Popeye, he still is not popular enough to be brought to the big screen.
11 months agoby @gandoff2169Flag
gumperman
I hope it's as good as Altman's film.
11 months agoby @gumpermanFlag
Rudy
No! First finish Samurai Jack!!!!!!!
11 months agoby @rudyFlag
Salemwolf711
Genndy Tartakovsky is directing this! I am in!
11 months agoby @Salemwolf711Flag
ejk1
@gandoff2169 That's ridiculous. The fact that Popeye is still making an impression cements his A grade. You don't downgrade a character because it has withstood the test of time. There are hundreds of characters created around the same time as Popeye or afterwards, and most have not come near the popularity of Popeye. Just because there haven't been any new cartoons featuring the character doesn't cheapen the characters qualities, but rather enhances the esteem in which the original works are held. In short, Popeye established an A grade 80 years ago, and thanks to still being relevant in the public eye, he has kept that status.
11 months agoby @ejk1Flag
gandoff2169
@ejk1 Yes, Popeye was the king in his day, which as you said was basically 80 years ago. So on today's standard of cartoons, he would be a B or C grade character. I watched him allot growing up. Rocky and Bullwinkle, Woody, Tom and Jerry, and many other's I call B or C grade. But when Robin Williams did Popeye, that was the highest time for a big screen film. I do not know any actor with the chops to pull him of in a live screen version, so this will be no doubt a animation film. So just because people know about the character, for over 80 years, does not mean they are A grade. I kinda want to watch Yogi to see how it was, but there has not been a cartoon made even for tv for that character a lone, if not more then 30 years. Jetson's to me, was that last old school cartoon done well for the Big screen as a full length cartoon feature. But, dose not mean I do not like Popeye. Just giving the character's a fair grade on what it was in today's terms, and how Hollywood has handled them.
11 months agoby @gandoff2169Flag
ejk1
@gandoff2169 I'm sorry, are you saying Popeye is B or C grade? You may not like the character, but Popeye has stayed in the national lexicon for over 80 years. Anything less than A grade doesn't have that staying power.
11 months agoby @ejk1Flag
gandoff2169
I am sorry, but it is beginning to look like these B or even C grade old school cartoons are being over made by movie studios. They took the Chipmunks to commercial for the third film. Not yet watched Yogi or the Smurfs. But there has been stories about other films being done on characters like Tom and Jerry. Look at what they did to Loony Toons.
11 months agoby @gandoff2169Flag
Bawnian©-Dexeus
@ejk1 Agreed
11 months agoby @bawnian-dexeusFlag
ejk1
It's in the right hands. There is no one better to do this than the creator of modern classics like Dexter's Laboratory and Samurai Jack.
11 months agoby @ejk1Flag
Bawnian©-Dexeus
Looks like slapstick comedy and spinach are making a comeback
11 months agoby @bawnian-dexeusFlag
Nicholaus XX
I can't help but watch Hollywood f*ck up every animated classic...
11 months agoby @XxNickTheFilmCriticXxFlag
Newtron
Popeeeeyyyyye?...(sighs)
11 months agoby @newtronFlag
skywise
@bawnian-dexeus i should have read that a little closer. Yes your right.
11 months agoby @skywiseFlag
Bawnian©-Dexeus
@skywise Isn't it?
11 months agoby @bawnian-dexeusFlag
skywise
unless it animated forget it. The 80's version still leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
11 months agoby @skywiseFlag