The previously announced the Popeye feature is moving forward, reports Variety. Genndy Tartakovsky has been engaged to develop and direct Popeye, Sony Pictures Animation’s 3D movie.

Tartakovsky recently directed the Hotel Transylvania feature film which will hit theaters on September 12th. An animator, director and producer, he previously created shows like Dexter’s Laboratory, Samurai Jack, and Sym-Bionic Titan. He’s also attached to direct a feature version of Samurai Jack.

Avi and Ari Arad will produce the Popeye adaptation via their Arad Productions banner with Sony Pictures Animation. Writers David Ronn and Jay Scherick were most recently attached to author the project.

Popeye first appeared in E. C. Segar’s Thimble Theater comic strip in 1929 and soon became the strip’s most popular character. He’s spawned numerous comic books, animated TV shows and shorts. A live-action motion picture was released in 1980 starring Robin Williams as the spinach-eating sailor and Shelley Duvall as his best “goil” Olive Oyl.

What do you think? Would you be interested in checking out this movie? Do you like Tartakovsky’s past work?