Well, blow me down! The public-domain horror movie Popeye the Slayer Man is getting a sequel, and production is already underway. Cameras are officially rolling in upstate New York, with Daniel Baldwin (Homicide: Life on the Street) and Avaryana Rose (The Caretaker) recently added to the cast. In addition to announcing the new cast members, the studio released a first look at the upcoming horror sequel (shown below).
Naturally, the film revolves around Popeye, the legendary sailor man, whose consumption of contaminated spinach in the first film made him a crazed killer. Fueled by spinach and rage, Popeye goes on a rampage to get revenge after discovering demolition plans for his dockside home. As police hunt the supernaturally strong sailor man, and his estranged family attempts to reach him, bodies continue to sink toward Davey Jones’ Locker.
“This movie is bigger and bloodier than the first. More kills and gore and more Popeye backstory,” said producer Jeff Miller. “Fans of the original won’t be disappointed, and we believe we’ll get new fans with this one.”
Popeye the Slayer Man 2 stars returning actors Sean Michael Conway, Elena Juliano, Sarah Nicklin, Nathan Todaro, and Jason Stephens in the title role. Baldwin will play the town’s mayor, while Rose, whose character founded the anti-cyberbullying platform Babes Against Bullying, plays his daughter. Other newcomers include Chelsea Gilson, Mia Rose, Derek Poole, and Jesse Wakeman.
Robert Michael Ryan returns to direct the sequel, written by John Doolan, with Jeff Miller, Cuyle Carvin, and Ryan contributing to the story.
I’ve not seen Popeye the Slayer Man (read our review here), but I want to. I used to love watching horror movies like The Gingerdead Man, Jack Frost, and Uncle Sam. A lot of passion goes into making these public-domain horror films, even if they look silly at first glance. I don’t hold Popeye as something sacred, so the idea of him eating contaminated spinach and running amok sounds like old-fashioned fun to me. I could indulge in a double feature when both Popeye the Slayer Man movies become available to stream or rent online. I’m not sure who will join me, but if I bring enough drinks, I’m sure someone will.