Is Will Smith Making a Popeye Movie? 2024 Live-Action Speculation Explained

A viral poster recently stirred excitement among fans, showing Will Smith as the iconic character Popeye the Sailor Man in a 2024 live-action film. In the image, Smith is depicted wearing Popeye’s signature sailor hat, flexing his biceps, and holding the iconic pipe in his mouth. But is this poster legitimate?

Will Smith’s Popeye: Real or Fake?

Unfortunately for those hoping to see Will Smith in this classic role, the Popeye movie poster is not real. It’s an AI-generated image circulating online, and no such project is in development. While the idea of Smith stepping into the role of the spinach-loving sailor might sound fun, the poster is purely a fan creation.

Popeye’s History and Live-Action Legacy

Popeye first appeared on January 17, 1929, in the Thimble Theatre comic strip and quickly became a cultural icon. The character later starred in his own cartoon series, starting in 1933. Despite his popularity, Popeye has only had one live-action movie, released in 1980, with Robin Williams playing the sailor and Shelley Duvall as Olive Oyl.

Will a New Popeye Movie Ever Get Made?

This isn’t the first time a fake Popeye movie has caught fans’ attention. Another fan-made trailer recently floated the idea of a Popeye film starring Dwayne Johnson. Despite these fan efforts, there’s currently no live-action Popeye film in development.

However, an animated Popeye project is being worked on by director Genndy Tartakovsky. Unfortunately, this project has been stuck in development limbo for years, with the last major update occurring in 2020.

What’s Next for Will Smith?

While fans won’t see Will Smith as Popeye, he has a few exciting projects lined up. These include Bad Boys 4, a remake of Planes, Trains & Automobiles, and I Am Legend 2. So, while the Popeye rumor isn’t true, fans still have plenty to look forward to from Smith’s future roles.

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