‘Shiver Me Timbers’ – Exclusive Chat With Director Paul Mann Previews the New Popeye Horror Movie

The latest horror movie to put a gory twist on beloved pop culture icon Popeye is Shiver Me Timbers, and director Paul Mann’s bloody slasher is NOW AVAILABLE on digital at home.

Blending classic slasher thrills with off-the-wall comedy, Shiver Me Timbers pays homage to 1980s horror classics while bringing Popeye into “his most terrifying adventure yet.”

Here’s the synopsis: “In Northern California during the summer of 1986, Olive Oyl, along with her cinema- obsessed friends and brother Castor, embark on a once-in-a-lifetime camping trip to witness the dazzling meteor shower accompanying the arrival of Halley’s comet. But what starts as a serene evening of stargazing quickly turns into a harrowing nightmare when a meteor from the comet transforms Popeye, into a terrifying and unstoppable killing machine.”

With Shiver Me Timbers now available from all major VOD retailers, Bloody Disgusting caught up with Paul Mann to talk about what makes his Popeye horror movie different from the rest, while also diving into the gore and 1980s setting, and touching upon his future public domain plans. You can read our exclusive chat with Shiver Me Timbers director Paul Mann below.

You’ll also find an exclusive clip and the movie’s official trailer underneath!

Bloody Disgusting: What sets Shiver Me Timbers apart from the recently released horror movies Popeye’s Revenge and Popeye the Slayer Man?

Paul Mann: The main difference is that Shiver Me Timbers is a comedy horror—emphasis on the comedy. Our film doesn’t take itself seriously at all; it leans more into the over-the-top, ’80s-style Troma comedy horrors. It fully embraces what it is without trying to be anything else. If you’re expecting a serious, terrifying horror movie, you’re in the wrong place.

What you’re getting with Shiver Me Timbers is the kind of film you invite your friends over to watch. You bring it to your frat house, dorm, or sorority, and have an absolute blast—probably rewinding scenes because it’s so outrageous, ridiculous, and, most importantly, fun. Our film knows its audience well. It’s made for younger viewers to laugh at, but also for those who were there in the VHS days and rented these kinds of films when they first came out. So, the biggest difference is that our film is all about over-the top, bloody fun.

BD: Shiver Me Timbers features a final girl version of Olive Oyl. Can you tell us a little bit about your take on the iconic character?

PM: Yes, Olive Oyl is our final girl, and our take on this iconic character is quite different. For one, our Olive Oyl isn’t Popeye’s girlfriend—she’s a young teenager, hanging out with her friends, who ultimately becomes the hero. She’s also a goth-loving girl, influenced by the likes of Siouxsie and the Banshees and the 1980s goth scene. She’s far from the damsel in distress Popeye is always rescuing. She’s an incredibly smart, nerdy character who transforms into an action hero.

Her arc is a journey from the brainy, goth nerd to a full-on Sigourney Weaver-style action hero, all delivered with a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor.

BD: The trailer for Shiver Me Timbers is extremely bloody. Can we expect all classic practical effects from the film?

PM: One thing I was determined to achieve was over-the-top blood. Our makeup artists went all out, creating barrels of blood and crafting every kind imaginable. Then we enhanced it all with CGI, adding even more blood—because you can never have too much blood.

As for Popeye, he’s a blend of makeup and CGI. Everything started with practical effects, which were then enhanced with CGI to create the best possible look.

BD: Your film is set in the 1980s. Why did you choose that time period?

PM: We set the film in the 1980s because that’s when all the horror movies I love were released. Those are the films I grew up watching, renting on VHS from the video stores. In the UK, where we had the infamous Video Nasty list, I was lucky enough to discover these films before the list was created. As a 12 to 13 year-old, I was renting Driller Killer, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Cannibal Holocaust—all the classics—followed by Return of the Living Dead, Reanimator, The Evil Dead, Toxic Avenger, Flesh for Frankenstein, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2; the list goes on. I really wanted to make one of those films: the tongue-in-cheek, campy, horror flicks that also made me laugh. To this day, I’m still a huge fan of ’80s synthwave and those iconic soundtracks.

Another reason we set it in the ’80s is that Halley’s Comet passed through in 1986, and in our story, the comet transforms old man Popeye into the monster he becomes. Our characters are also huge movie buffs, constantly referencing those great films from the ’80s. References to the ’80s, the occasional nod to the ’90s, and even one from the ’70s. Shiver Me Timbers truly pays homage to the genre, peppered with little Easter eggs that, hopefully, fans will appreciate.

BD: Do you have any plans to turn other public domain characters into horror icons?

PM: We do have plans to transform other public domain characters into horror icons. I can’t reveal who just yet, as we’re still in pre-production on the sequel, but I can tell you that they’ll come from that same era and share a similar type of character. They won’t be fairy tale characters— other companies are already doing those brilliantly—but they will be drawn from the public domain. I’m keeping it under wraps for now, as we don’t want to spoil anything. But yes, more is definitely on the way.

Watch Shiver Me Timbers on digital today!

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