Popeye is a cold-blooded killer in the teaser trailer for Popeye the Slayer Man

I can promise you've never seen Popeye the Sailor quite like this before. Cashing in on the latest trend in the horror genre of taking beloved characters from the public domain and turning them into gruesome slashers, Jeff Miller is producing new horror movie titled Popeye the Slayer Man, coming in 2025.

The film is described as providing an "alternate backstory for the legendary sailor," in short, now he's a murderer. Why? Because the spinach he's so famous for consuming in large quantities has been contaminated.

An open can with a faint toxic glow is visible in the teaser, as is this new bloated and grotesque version of the titular "slayer" man. It's clear that this movie won't shy away from gore. The teaser shows a few moments, including Popeye crushing one character's head and another stepping directly onto a nail. Popeye even delivers his catchphrase, "I am what I am," but this time, it's to confirm he is a monster.

Miller says that he's excited for viewers to check out the movie, which was filmed in New York State, specifically because they used practical effects for the gore rather than relying on CG. For the moment, it sounds like Popeye the Slayer Man is being shopped to interested buyers, so we don't know where it will be released yet.

The film stars Elena Juliano, Sean Michael Conway, Mabel Thomas, Marie-Louise Boisnier, Jeff Thomas, Angela Relucio, Sarah Nicklin, and Steven McCormack. Jason Stephens plays the lead role of Popeye.

Robert Michael Ryan (Ouija Witch) directs from a screenplay penned by John Doolan (Remains). Miller, Cuyle Carvin, and Ryan also assisted with creating the story. It is a co-production between Salem House Films, Millman Productions, Ron Lee Productions, and Otsego Media.

Popeye the Slayer Man fits in well with other recent dark takes on childhood characters, like Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey and Mouse Trap, which features a twisted take on Steamboat Willie. The creators of Blood and Honey are behind an entire "Twisted Childhood Universe" that will include films on an evil Pinocchio, Peter Pan, Bambi, and more.

While Popeye the Slayer Man is not connected to that universe, it does appear to be following the trend. Lionsgate is also releasing its own horror version of the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale The Little Mermaid this December. So if you like having your childhood characters ruined, then the good news is there are plenty of these movies in development.