Comic book character and spinach addict Popeye is heading to the big screen for the first time in over 30 years. The last time we saw the usually cartoon sailor he had a much more realistic appearance, being played by Robin Williams in the 1980 live-action adaptation. Now Sony is seeking to revive the scrunch-faced hero in a 3D computer animated film.

 Details on the film are still minimal but the picture is to be produced by Avi Arad, who founded Marvel Studios, the company that spawned blockbuster series such as Spiderman and X-Men. It’s safe to say that Popeye will most likely be joined by his arm flailing damsel-in-distress Olive Oyl and his arch nemesis Bluto.

 Arad is clearly excited by his newest venture into film-making, his last being Bratz: The Movie (what do you mean you’ve never seen it?). Talking to American magazine Variety, Arad gushed that he’s “an unabashed, lifelong Popeye fan. Introducing this squinty-eyed sailor to a new generation also means reintroducing him to those who, like me, grew up with him.”

 With nothing more known about the film, a release date anytime soon seems unlikely. Until then, we’ll have to make do with Williams’ film debut in the excruciatingly bad live action version. Don’t say I didn’t warn you…