Genndy Tartokovsky put off directing his CGI update of POPEYE to helm the sequel to his successful HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA, but his enthusiasm for the project is such that he's apparently functioning as director on both projects simultaneously. He talks about his deep love for the property in the below featurette, which also contains about a minute-and-a-half of POPEYE animation.
Now, this footage is apparently not from the film (the script has yet to be completed), but rather a test reel created by Tartakovsky and Sony to show what the DEXTER'S LABORATORY/SAMURAI JACK alum is trying to do with the 85-year-old character. Notice the emphasis on slapstick, ambitious camera movements (like the long "take" of Olive Oyl crawling around on deck), and Tartokovsky's trademark whiplash-inducing pacing.
It's hard not to think Tartokovsky's heart is in the right place after watching this featurette, and reading his quotes, like:
"The movie that I'd really like to make here would have half the dialogue that you typically have in a full-length animated feature. I'd really like the physical humor, the uniquely comical way that these characters move -- the sort of stuff that you can only really do in animation -- carry this picture."
The footage starts at 2:02. Enjoy.
For just the animation, click below
POPEYE will sail into theaters sometime in 2016.
