There are horror films. Then there are public domain fever dreams where a beloved cartoon sailor turns into a gore-splattered vigilante with forearms that could pulp a man’s skull. Popeye the Slayer Man, a horror reimagining that’s as bloody as it is bizarre, belongs to the latter camp. And standing tall at the centre of the madness is Jason Robert Stephens, a former real-life cop turned screen slayer. As the film launches in the UK on Amazon and Apple, Stephens sat down with Masters of Horror to talk through the physical demands of becoming Popeye, improvising emotional beats between kills, and yes, who he’d like to slaughter in a potential sequel.
This version of Popeye is definitely not your grandpa’s sailor, how did you prepare to embody such a gritty, slayer-style version of this iconic character?
Mentally, it was pretty easy to get into the character. Once you have all that makeup on, the costume, etc., you kind of have to become that character. It was actually really fun to play.
What drew you to this project in the first place? Did you have any connection to the classic Popeye cartoons growing up?
I’ve known the director Robert Michael Ryan since we were 11 years old. We started out making short horror movies with a home video camera and our love for cinema grew from there. One day he told me that the Popeye character was going into the public domain, and he wanted to direct a Popeye horror movie. He asked me to play Popeye, knowing that it was going to be pretty physical and I'm all about that. So I told him as long as he didn’t skimp on the gore, I’m game.
As far as the original iconic character, I did watch the cartoons as a kid and I even went and saw the Robin Williams version of Popeye in the theatre. So, it was definitely part of my childhood.
The physicality of Popeye is that of a mutated monster. How intense were the make-up transformation demands on you?
It depended on the scene. For example, if it was a far-away shot, or I was in the shadows, getting into the character makeup wasn't all that terrible. If I was doing a close up with dialogue, then it was a little bit more tedious, but all in all, I knew it was going to be worth it in the end.
How did you balance the over-the-top, badass elements of this Popeye with the heart of the original character?
As the movie progresses, you realise that Popeye isn't really 100% bad. He's actually taking out the bad guys.
Maintaining the heart of the original character played itself out in the script. And luckily, Robert let me improvise a couple of things that I think helped with that heart element. For example in the Popeye’s "layer" you get to see his softer side. A lot of that scene I improvised. I just had to hit my marks and eat the spinach.
What was your favourite scene to shoot, and was there one that totally pushed your limits as an actor?
My favourite scene as far as the kills are concerned, is the arm scene but I won't give it away. You'll know which one I'm talking about. That one was super physical, totally over the top and fun plus you really want to see that guy get what’s coming to him. My favourite scene of the movie is when I'm in the layer and you get to see my softer side.
Popeye traditionally relies on his fists and forearms how did the kill scenes choreography evolve for The Slayer Man? Were you involved in any of it?
Most of the kills were pretty much written and filmed as in the original script. We did have to improvise a few things due to time constraints and some other location limitations. I've worked on a lot of movies and directed several of them and utilised stunt coordinators before. So the stunt choreography actually came pretty easily.
If you could face off against any classic cartoon character in slayer form, who would you choose, and who’d win?
If I had to face off against any cartoon character, I think I'd have to take care of that Winnie the Poo guy...... And if not him, maybe the grinch in "Popeye Slays Christmas".
You were a cop for thirty years, and a fugitive hunter for five. So, who do you prefer to play – good guys or bad guys?
Yeah, for thirty years, I chased the bad guys and I prefer playing the good guy or the good guy with an edge. I'm told I looked a little bit like Jason Statham, probably because of our physical build and similar hairline..... some of the fugitives I brought back even called me the Transporter. Lol.
What’s next for you?
Watch this space but you never know, maybe part two of Popeye the Slayer Man.
POPEYE THE SLAYER MAN is currently available to scream in the UK on Digital
Apple TV - https://apple.co/41YEzFS
Prime Video - https://amzn.to/3HkDSPj
