Filmmaker Genndy Tartakovsky’s long-gestating CG-animated Popeye movie is reportedly back in development at a new home. Tartakovsky was previously attached to direct Sony Pictures Animation’s feature film version of the classic comic strip character but exited the project in 2015.
IGN has confirmed that Sony Pictures Animation is no longer developing a Popeye animated movie.
According to Animation Magazine, Tartakovsky has teamed with King Features to bring the animated movie to life. King Features owns the Popeye brand along with other such classic cartoons and comic strips as Betty Boop, Flash Gordon, The Phantom, Beetle Bailey, and Mandrake the Magician.
No word yet on what stage of development Tartakovsky and King Features are at with their version of the spinach-munching, cantankerous sailor man.
Sony released proof of concept footage from Tartakovsky’s Popeye back in 2014. “It’s not a clip, it’s not a trailer, it’s nothing from the actual movie,” Tartakovsky said at the time. “It’s just something that kind of represents what we wanted to do.”
You can view Tartakovsky’s Popeye test footage here.
Tartakovsky directed three entries in the Hotel Transylvania franchise for Sony Pictures Animation. He’s earned both Emmy and Annie Awards during his career, with his credits including Star Wars: Clone Wars, Dexter’s Laboratory, Samurai Jack, and Primal.
Source: IGN.com Popeye: Genndy Tartakovsky's Animated Movie Back in Development