Sony Pictures Animation’s Popeye lands Ratchet and Clank writer T.J. Fixman
In March of last year, director Genndy Tartakovsky (the Hotel Transylvania movies) left Sony Pictures Animation‘s Popeye feature film due to a regime change at the studio that did not support his vision. Despite losing their director, the studio remains committed to making a Popeye movie, and has proven as such by bringing aboard a new writer in the form of T.J. (Todd) Fixman, best known as a central creative force behind Insomniac Games’ Ratchet and Clank video game franchise as well as writing the upcoming movie which opens in April. A hot screenwriter around town, Fixman also recently signed a deal with Hasbro to help develop their new film slate.
Created by E.C. Segar, Popeye first appeared in the already-established “Thimble Theater” comic strip in 1929. Introduced as a walk-on character, Popeye eventually became the strip’s star. In 1933, The Fleischers began to produce animated Popeye cartoons which lasted through the 1940s. The sailor man also came to the big screen in 1980 with Robert Altman directing and the late Robin Williams in the lead.
Before he left the project, Tartakovsky posted his demo reel for Popeye, which you can view below. Do you hope Sony Pictures Animation continues along the path that Tartakovsky started, or should they take a new direction? Let us know in the comments below!
