Some childhood favorite characters are being given a rework by ITN Studios as they embrace a more terrifying tone.
As characters like Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh fall into public domain, they become eligible to be given a new life. Popeye is the latest of cartoon favorites for creatives to explore a new life for. ITN is prepared and ready to give him a horror film as his own, but they won’t be including it in their Twisted Childhood Universe.
“The legend of Popeye haunts a group of councilors as they intend to open a summer camp,” the official movie synopsis tease. Popeye, which is expected to be “raunchy and gory,” is slated to release in Jan. 2025.
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Steve Murphy will play the lead in the horror movie as Rene August produces and William Lead directs. Bloody Disgusting obtained teaser photos from movie as a trailer is still on the way. In the pictures, the sailor appears to emerge from the water on a dock, donning his traditional hat. He appears to have some sort of shackles on his wrists as he gives another character a menacing look.
In another still from the film, the true slasher nature of the movie is further underscored as Popeye is seen bloodied up. His sailor uniform is gruesome as the white fabric is stained with splotches of red. Popeye also wears his hat as his famous pipe hangs from his mouth.
While its unclear how Popeye plans to attack his victims, one image shows him grasping some sort of trident or anchor which can definitely be wielded as a weapon if he so choose. In another snap, Popeye gets very close to his victim, appearing in a silhouette to grab at their throat, possibly strangling them to death.
Fans are enthusiastically waiting for the movie’s release as one on X, formerly known as Twitter, wrote: “Bro probably will eat Spinach and go on a slaughter spree in this one. Noice. Never imagined a childhood cartoon like this lmao.”
“A horror twist on Popeye? This is definitely going to be wild! Cant wait to see how they pull off a raunchy and gory slasher with such a classic character. 2025 cant come soon enough!” wrote another.
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