Social media has been buzzing with a surprising image: a live-action poster featuring Will Smith as Popeye the Sailor Man, purportedly for a 2024 movie release. The poster showcases Will Smith donning the iconic Popeye sailor hat, adorned with tattoos, flexing his biceps, and sporting a characteristic pipe. However, before you get too excited about this unexpected casting choice, it’s crucial to set the record straight.

The Truth Behind the Viral Poster: It’s a Product of AI, Not Reality

While the idea of Will Smith taking on the role of Popeye may have piqued the curiosity of many fans, the truth is far less exciting. The viral poster featuring Will Smith as Popeye is not an official movie announcement; instead, it’s the creation of artificial intelligence. In other words, the poster is entirely fictional, and there is no genuine project involving Will Smith as Popeye in the works for 2024.

Popeye, a beloved character, made his debut in the Thimble Theatre comic strip on January 17, 1929. His popularity soared, leading to his own cartoon series in 1933. While Popeye has been a beloved figure for decades, there has only been one live-action adaptation of the character, released in 1980 and starring Robin Williams and Shelly Duvall.

The Persistence of Fan-Made Popeye Projects: What’s on the Horizon?

It’s not just the Will Smith poster that has stirred up interest in a new Popeye movie. Fans have been eager to see the iconic sailor back on the big screen, leading to various fan-made projects and speculations. For instance, a fan-made movie trailer by Foxstar Media teased the idea of Popeye the Sailor Man starring none other than Dwayne Johnson.

Despite the enthusiasm and creative endeavors of fans, the reality remains that there is no live-action Popeye movie officially in development. However, there is a glimmer of hope for Popeye enthusiasts. An animated project with director Genny Tartakovsky has been in the works, although it appears to be stuck in development limbo. The last update on this animated venture dates back to May 2020, indicating that the creative team was reevaluating their approach.

While the prospect of seeing Will Smith transform into Popeye won’t materialize anytime soon, fans can still look forward to Smith’s upcoming projects, which include “Bad Boys 4,” “Planes, Trains & Automobiles,” and “I Am Legend 2.” Although Popeye’s return to the silver screen may be uncertain, the world of entertainment continues to offer a wide range of exciting ventures for fans and audiences to enjoy.