Horror fans, brace yourselves for a twisted take on the beloved sailor man Popeye in the upcoming film Shiver Me Timbers, which promises to deliver a blend of classic terror and dark comedy. In the brand-new trailer, Popeye, known for his love of spinach and his adventures with Olive Oyl, is transformed into a monstrous, bloodthirsty killer after a meteor from Halley’s comet hits him, marking a terrifying new direction for the character.
A Sinister Spin on a Classic Character
Set in Northern California during the summer of 1986, Shiver Me Timbers follows Olive Oyl and her brother Castor, along with their friends, on a camping trip to witness the dazzling meteor shower linked to the arrival of Halley’s comet. However, the peaceful evening quickly takes a sinister turn when a meteor strikes Popeye, turning him into an unstoppable killing machine. The once lovable sailor is now a nightmarish version of himself, driven by a terrifying transformation.
Produced by Scottish film company Alpake Entertainment, known for its “movies with guts,” Shiver Me Timbers marks the third time Popeye has been reimagined as a horror character in recent years. Following films like Popeye’s Revenge and Popeye the Slayer Man, Alpake continues its streak of transforming public domain characters into frightful new versions.
A Missing Cast, but Familiar Faces
While Shiver Me Timbers offers a fresh take on Popeye’s story, fans may notice the absence of several iconic characters from the original comic strip. Swee’Pea, Wimpy, Bluto, and other beloved figures are missing from the roster, raising questions about the film’s approach to the source material. However, the film does include some recognizable faces: Olive Oyl, played by Amy Mackie, is still central to the plot, though her interactions with Popeye are less likely to be tender given his monstrous transformation. Other characters, such as Olive’s brother Castor (Brendan Nelson), and Cylinda (Niamh Parrington), join the cast as the chaos unfolds.
Interestingly, Spike, a character originally portrayed by Denis Franz in the 1980 Popeye movie, appears in the film, played by Seb Lord. Meanwhile, the character of Homeless George (Paul Dewdney) likely draws inspiration from George W. Geezil, a classic character from Popeye’s comic lore. The film seems to steer away from the lighter side of the Popeye universe, choosing instead to focus on the horror aspects, turning the sailor’s signature strength into a terrifying force.
Horror, Slasher Tributes, and ‘Gimmie Some Sugar’
Director Paul Stephen Mann embraces the slasher genre of the 1980s, drawing clear inspiration from cult classics of the time, including The Evil Dead. In one trailer moment, a dark-haired character echoes Ash Williams’ iconic line, “Gimmie some sugar, baby,” paying homage to the horror genre’s heyday. With its mix of blood, sex, and drugs, Shiver Me Timbers is set to be a nostalgic ride for slasher fans.
Mark Your Calendars for April 2025
Set to release in April 2025, Shiver Me Timbers offers a terrifying new spin on a beloved classic. Fans can get a taste of the film through the recently released trailer, but in the meantime, Popeye enthusiasts looking for a more traditional adaptation can revisit the 1980 live-action film starring Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall, which celebrates its 45th anniversary this December. It is currently available to stream for free on Pluto TV.
Additionally, though Halley’s comet is making a return in Shiver Me Timbers, it won’t be visible from Earth again until 2061, according to NASA.
As the countdown to Shiver Me Timbers continues, fans of both Popeye and horror can look forward to a truly unexpected evolution of the iconic character.
