Smurfs' Screenwriters Hired for POPEYE

Smurfs' Screenwriters Hired for POPEYE

Sony Pictures Animation had a blockbuster this summer with Smurfs and are looking to resurrect another classic cartoon for the silver screen with Popeye the Sailor.

By nailbiter111 - Nov 03, 2011 12:11 PM EST
Filed Under: Fantasy
Source: deadline.com



The last time we saw Popeye on the screen was the live-action version directed by Robert Altman and starred Robin Williams as the sailor with a spinach addiction. The fictional cartoon character was created by Elzie Crisler Segar, and first appeared in the daily King Features comic strip Thimble Theatre in 1929. In later years Popeye became the strip's title.

The usual plot of a Popeye story is that Olive Oyl is kidnapped, usually by Bluto, and Popeye must figure out who did the deed. Once he figures it out he gets into a slug fest with the villain, and uses the power of spinach to overcome his enemy.

Sony Pictures Animation has turned to its The Smurfs scribes, Jay Scherick & David Ronn to script Popeye, the animated adaptation of the comic book. SPA and Avi Arad are producing Popeye, which will be a 3D stereoscopic effort.

“Scherick & Ronn have a remarkable talent in re-energizing beloved characters,” said Sony Pictures Digital Productions president Bob Osher. “As they demonstrated with The Smurfs, they embrace the iconic characteristics of these timeless characters and craft a story that really engages moviegoers today.” The scribes are already working on a Smurfs sequel, and they also wrote the original script for Baywatch. ICM reps the scribes.







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PaulRom
PaulRom - 11/3/2011, 12:44 PM
Interesting, I'm a huge Popeye fan so I'll see this.
nuck82
nuck82 - 11/3/2011, 1:05 PM
the popeye movies from the 80s is the best, they cant do better then that
comicoverlord
comicoverlord - 11/3/2011, 1:23 PM
Didn't care for Altman's version. I'm old enough to have seen it in the theater as a little kid. Oddly enough, I'm not a Robin Williams fan but I liked him as Popeye. Go figure. At the time I thought Williams was the only good part. But I also hate musicals, so therein lies the rub.
jjmeylar
jjmeylar - 11/3/2011, 1:35 PM
Why don't they just go ahead and do a "Peanuts Gang" film and ruin my life, once and for all!
Greengo
Greengo - 11/3/2011, 1:49 PM


you right nuck
HelaGood
HelaGood - 11/3/2011, 1:54 PM
W T F
Lewis25
Lewis25 - 11/3/2011, 1:59 PM
Tom Hardy for Popeye.
JustinMSalvato
JustinMSalvato - 11/3/2011, 2:29 PM
Geez, they're going to ruin Popeye too...

The Robin Williams Popeye was, AWESOME!

SupermanReturns2
SupermanReturns2 - 11/3/2011, 3:18 PM
@Jahozafat: You are absolutely correct! I have this film, watched a couple months ago after not seeing it for years and it's still one of the best comic adaptations to live action.
valeriesghost
valeriesghost - 11/3/2011, 3:21 PM
I love Popeye! Can't wait to see this
Dechiriko
Dechiriko - 11/3/2011, 3:24 PM
It's gonna be great to see Robin Williams back on his greatest roles
superbatspiderman
superbatspiderman - 11/3/2011, 3:27 PM
They will probably end up putting Popeye in the real world like every other movie based on a cartoon. Why can't they keep the characters in their own universe with out bring them to ours?
Superdan2012
Superdan2012 - 11/3/2011, 3:37 PM
Owen Wilson will be a perfect choice to play Popeye

That is my suggestion.

Rose McGowan can make an awesome Olive Oil and Bluto The Bully will be played by Bruce Campbell
headlopper
headlopper - 11/3/2011, 4:06 PM
No need to re-make this.
Make a live action 'Quick Draw McGraw'.

headlopper
headlopper - 11/3/2011, 4:15 PM
..or Tennessee Tuxedo.

headlopper
headlopper - 11/3/2011, 4:16 PM
Magilla Gorilla?

headlopper
headlopper - 11/3/2011, 4:17 PM
...or "The Banana Splits"!

headlopper
headlopper - 11/3/2011, 4:18 PM
Ahhhh, the "Groovy Goolies"!

headlopper
headlopper - 11/3/2011, 4:21 PM
Maybe you're a dog person...
Hong Kong Phooey!

headlopper
headlopper - 11/3/2011, 4:27 PM
Seriously, if a studio wants to make REAL COOL movie out of a cartoon, here's your answer!!!

Megas XLR! Space wars, aliens, giants robots, drama...and New Jersey?? Ahh well, 4 out of 5 ain't bad!



nuck82
nuck82 - 11/3/2011, 4:44 PM
@headlopper your giving me flash backs bro
headlopper
headlopper - 11/3/2011, 4:59 PM
@nuck82- Your Welcome! :)
JULEZ13
JULEZ13 - 11/3/2011, 5:52 PM
Really? By the writers of The Smurfs. First Alvin & the Chipmunks, then Yogi Bear, followed by the Smurfs and now POPEYE?!? When will it end!!

Studios have done a terrible job bringing these old classics to the silver screen! And they are using the writers who ruined The Smurfs?!? Really?

Oh, Lemme guess, this Popeye film will be set in the modern world with the cartoon characters being all CGI while they are in the real world with real people.

GREAT! -.-
DarrkEvil
DarrkEvil - 11/3/2011, 7:41 PM
YESSSS !!! Now make Tom Hardy 'POPEYE' plz !!!!
Shredder
Shredder - 11/3/2011, 11:49 PM

If they don't try to make the fights between Popeye and Bluto more tame for today's audiences, it's all gravy.

Those fights were always hilariously entertaining!
rage
rage - 11/4/2011, 12:26 AM
I still feel Hollywood are running out of ideas. They've started to realize the super hero genre is being milked dry and now they're turning their sights onto classic cartoon characters. Ie: tin tin and smurfs. God forbid they should come up with original ideas but I must admit that I have a soft spot for popeye, he was a legend. If they're gonna do it, make it an all out action but not over the top. On similar par to rush our or even x men. Turn popeye into this generations new action hero. In the immortal words of a legend. " I am what I am."
sheebz
sheebz - 11/4/2011, 6:57 AM
NO..NOOOOOOO I SAY!!!!!

Robin Williams was the best Popeye!! they're gonna [frick] this up soo bad...
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