Sony to Bring CGI Popeye to the Bigscreen

Popeye coming to the bigscreen
Popeye coming to the bigscreen
Sony is developing a completely CGI Popeye for the bigscreen, with scribe Mike Jones in negotiations to adapt.

According to Variety, Avi Arad is producing the project. This would be the first feature to bring back Popeye, who hasn't been seen on the bigscreen since 1980, when Robin Williams starred in a live-action version helmed by Robert Altman.

"I'm an unabashed, lifelong Popeye fan," said Jones, who is a Variety alum. "Introducing this squinty-eyed sailor to a new generation also means reintroducing him to those who, like me, grew up with him."

The logline is being kept under wraps, but Popeye's love interest Olive Oyl, nemesis Bluto and adopted child Swee'Pea will be part of the adventure. Arad says the new version will cover the themes of friendship, love, greed and life, and focus on human strengths and human frailties.

"Popeye" will be made by Sony Pictures Animation, with Sony Pictures ImageWorks handling the CG.

The spinach-loving hero, who spawned the longest-running series of talking animated shorts, is considered a merchandising gold mine, with Popeye toys, books, puzzles and games. Studio says the character, whose likeness is used widely to hawk green veggies, is the world's No. 1 licensing character in food.

No production date has been set.


Sources: Variety

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Comments (6)

  1. Phantanos

    Mike Jones better be reading my comments! Lions gate Family Entertainment has already made the very first CGI Popeye Film! 2004's : Popeye: The Quest for Pappy. a Mainframe Entertainment Production! Devo's Mark Mothrsbaugh wrote the musical numbers for the film.

    2 years agoby @phantanosFlag

  2. ejk1

    They should get the Robot Chicken guys to do it. The Popeye being addicted to spinach skit was hilarious.

    2 years agoby @ejk1Flag

  3. Err

    thanks for the heads up Phantanos, i'm going to keep an eye out for that.
    i think billy west is aces.

    2 years agoby @err2005Flag

  4. Phantanos

    It has already been done by Lionsgate films in 2004. Popeye's Quest for Pappy! The first CGI Popeye! It looked, sounded, and felt like an old Popeye cartoon; yet it looked 3D! Billy west was the voice of the man of Spinach. In that story Popeye faced his deadliest foe- The Sea hag!

    2 years agoby @phantanosFlag

  5. Rstars

    I think that Popeye was and still is my favouite out of All the characters ever created!! I liked the series a little more then Superman even. It will always be my Favourite! Thank you for bringing it back. I don't think anyone has ever forgotten Popeye.

    2 years agoby @rstarsFlag

  6. Cripple

    God-dammit.

    2 years agoby @crippleFlag

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