Following in the footsteps of Winnie-the-Pooh, Popeye is one of the latest properties to enter the public domain. This means that filmmakers are able to utilise the character and aspects of his story however they want, without having to pay any fees. For filmmakers early in their career this is a blessing as it enables their work to capture audiences attention more easily than trying to get them invested in an unknown property. The move worked wonders for the team behind Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey, with that film spawning an entire horror cinematic universe, and the team behind the forthcoming Popeye the Slayer Man must be hoping for similar success.
Director Robert Michael Ryan’s Popeye the Slayer Man arrives on Prime SVOD in late July, but before that the team have teased the carnage with a brand new promo and some rather bloody new images. News of a sequel is also in discussion, so it looks like this one really does have its sights set on being a competitor for the ‘Poohniverse.’
Speaking about Popeye the Slayer Man, Ryan said: “We’re thrilled we can make the film available to UK audiences on Prime, as well as on Amazon and Apple. We went old-school with this movie, using practical effects reminiscent of the classic horror films of the ‘70s and ‘80s. Popeye The Slayer Man is camp, chaotic, and made with a lot of love for both grindhouse horror and the worldwide cultural icon that is Popeye. For those who like their horror intense, bloody, and a bit unhinged, we hope it hits like a can of contaminated spinach”.
The plot sees a group of friends sneak into an abandoned spinach canning factory to film a documentary on the legend of ‘The Sailor Man,’ who is said to haunt the factory and local docks, only to find out that the legend is all-too true. Cue eye-popping, scalping, severed arm beating and twisted heads as the rampaging slaughter begins…
Popeye the Slayer Man stars Jason Robert Stephens in the title role, Sean Michael Conway, Elena Juliano, Mabel Thomas, Marie-Louise Boisnier, Jeff Thomas, and Steven McCormack, along with “scream queens” Angela Relucio (Code Black, The Cabining) and Sarah Nicklin (The Black Mass, Garden of Eden).
Shot in New York State, it is directed by Robert Michael Ryan from a screenplay by John Doolan (Remains), and is a co-production between Salem House Films, Millman Productions, Ron Lee Productions, and Otsego Media. Producers are Jeff Miller, Cuyle Carvin, Robert Michael Ryan, Alexander Tucker, Nathan Todaro, and Alysa Blasetti.
Special makeup effects are supervised by R.J. Young with cinematography by Korey Rowe.
Popeye the Slayer Man arrives on Prime SVOD in late July 2025.
