Hollywood, CA - Those madcap producers that brought you big screen versions of other cartoon characters, which aren't particularly sticking out in our minds right now, are at it again with a re-make of the movie, Popeye, originally starring Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall. This time, though, the roles are reversed and women are playing the parts of men, while men are playing the parts of women.
Said Milton Screech, a big Popeye fan and associate producer of the movie, "a bunch of writers were called into the office to see if they could come up with a new slant on an old film. They were asked to bring their 'medical' marijuana with them to help the process along."
"It wasn't long before our head writer, Sly Campbell came up with the Popeye idea. 'Hey,' he said, 'wouldn't it be funny to see Madonna play the part of Popeye? And the writers took off full speed ahead."
That's right, Madonna has been asked to play the part of Popeye and sources tell us she is jumping at the chance. For the part of Brutus, the producers have cast Rosie O'Donnell and for Popeye's love interest, Olive Oyl, they are happy to announce that Jim Parsons, who plays Sheldon on the television sitcom, Big Bang Theory, is also on board. Although the part of Wimpy hasn't been cast yet, eyes are on Kirstie Alley to fill that role.
The producers are hoping the actors will be able to do their own voices without the necessity of bringing in voice actors. Madonna's heavy use of steroids has lowered her voice a couple of octaves and during the auditions, she reportedly sounded so much like Popeye it was spooky. As far as Rosie O'Donnell having a man's voice, well, she does.
Parsons is a shoe in for the Olive Oyle spot. With a little tweaking to his voice and a bun hairstyle, we may not be able to tell the two apart.
Producers hope to start shooting the new Popeye movie sometime in August.
